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PRINCETON, N. J.
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NORTHERN MYTHOLOGY,
COMPRISING THE PRINCIPAL
POPULAR TRADITIONS AND SUPERSTITIONS
OF
SCANDINAVIA, NORTH GERMANY.
AND
THE NETHERLANDS.
COMPILED FROM ORIGINAL AND OTHER SOURCES,
BENJAMIN THORPE,
MEMBER OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AT 3IUN1CH.
IN THREE VOLUxMES.
VOL. III.
NORTH GERMAN AND NETHERLANDISH
POPULAR TRADITIONS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
LONDON :
EDWARD LUMLEY,
SOUTHAMPTON STREET, BLOOMSBURY SQUARE.
MDCCCLII.
PRINTED BY RICHARD TAYLOR,
RED MOX COURT, FLEET STREET.
FLAMMAM.
CONTENTS.
SCHLESWIG, HOLSTEIN, LAUENBURG.
Page
The Creation of Adam 1
The Ehrengang (Walk of Honour) ib.
The Lime-Tree in Nortorf -
Our Lady on Horseback ib.
The Dancer ^
The Devil and the Card-players ^
The Beacon-burning 5
No Spinning on Saturday Evening (>
Nor in the twelve days of Christmas 7
New Year's Eve ib-
Divine Service of the Dead 8
The Spectre at Gramm '^
The Congers 10
The Staven-Wiifke 11
The Land-divider ib.
The Black School V2
Fast-reading 14
Fast-wTiting ib.
Turning the Sieve 15
A Mm-derer cited 17
The Magic Kettle ib.
a2
IV CONTENTS.
Page
The Devil's Cat 1^
Monoloke ^ ^
Witches in Friesland '^"•
Witches 21
The Witches' Present 23
Wind-Knots **•
The St. John's Blood 24
The Waxen Image ^^•
The Witches stuff in Dissension ^*-
Witches take Batter 25
The Severed Hand '^^
A Witch as a Hare *^-
Werwolves ^ '
The Long Horse *'^-
The Mannigfual or Giant Ship 28
The Basilisk 29
The Nightmare ^^'
The Hel-Horse 30
Flames in the Water «^-
Of the Underground Folk ih.
The Onnerbankissen in Fogedshoog 32
The Subterranean Potters 33
The Underground Smith ib.
Kettles borrowed «^-
The Dragedukke 34
The Gossips. ^b.
Drum-Music 35
The Mill-Stone suspended by a Silken Thread ib.
Pingcl is dead! 37
The Builder Zi 38
Father Finn 39
The House with Ninety-nine Windows ^b.
Ekke Nekkepenn -iO
The Carved Image -11
A Subterranean Child caught 42
CONTENTS. V
Page ,
Changelings 43
The Kielkropp 46
The Underground Folk emigrate 47
The Wolterkens — Niss-Puk — B Llsemann — Niske 48
The Subterraneans lick up Milk 49
The Klabautermann ih.
Of the Ranzaus 50
Josias Ranzau's Magic Sword 54
We are removing ! bb
The Snake-King 56
Thunder 67
The Stars ! ib.
The Man in the Moon ib.
Hans Diimkt 58
The Wandering Jew 59
The Wode ib.
The Man without a Shadow 62
Devil against Devil 64
Witches take away Butter 68
Calves bewitched 69
Foreseeing ib.
The Communion-Cup at Viol 70
White Women 71
MEKLENBURG, THE MARK, SAXONY, THURINGIA,
BRUNSWICK, HANOVER, OLDENBURG, WEST-
PHALIA.
FruGode 73
The Klabautersmanneken or Pukse 'J5
The Horse-Mare ib.
A Woman Werwolf 'Jd
The Ileckethaler ib.
Milk abstracted ']']
Witches discovered "^S
Hiinensteine (Giant-Stones) 79
VI CONTENTS.
Page
A Horse comes out of the Water 80
OklFrick ib.
The Witches' Ride 81
Kobolds, or Goblins 83
Jack o' Lanterns with Long Legs 85
Jack o' Lanterns driven away by cursing ib.
A Jack o' Lantera caught '•• ib.
Frau Harke 87
The Nickelmann, or Nick ib.
The Princess Use 88
Hans von Hackelnberg 91
Witches in Gittekle ; 95
The Monk of the Mines 96
The Demons of the Mine 97
The Night-Raven, or Eternal Wagoner ib.
Frau Hulle (Holda, Hulde) 98
Traditions of the Kyffhauser 101
The Smith of Juterbogk 103
The Wundcrblume (Miracle Flower) 1 06
The Werwolf's Girdle 107
Traditions of Dwarfs ib.
Tra(htions of the Hiibichenstein :
I. The Dwarf King 109
II. The Ascent of the Hiibichenstein 110
III. The Silver Fu--cone 115
The Bell-Pond 118
The Bell at Coenhauseu ib.
The Children of Hameln 119
The White Ghosts in the Liiningsberg 120
The Rose of Ilildesheim 122
The Smith in the Iluggel 123
The Deer-stcaler 126
The Freischutz 127
The Oldenburg Horn 128
The Cuckoo.— The Pleiades 131
CONTENTS. Vll
NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
Page
Shrovetide * 1 ^'^
Candlemas 1 34
Easter ^b.
The Fh-st of April 136
May-day i^-
Whitsuntide 138
St. John's, or Midsummer, Day 139
Harvest Customs 1'^ 1
St. Michael's Day 142
St. Martin's Day ib.
St. Andrew's Eve ib-
Christmas 1^5
The New Year 149
Twelfthtide 151
Supernatural Beings of Twelfthtide 1 53
The Mart— Marte— Marten— Nachtmart (The Nightmare) ... 154
Drak— Kobold— Fire-di-ake 155
Dwarfs 157
Jack o' Lanterns 158
The Nix ib.
The Wild Huntsman ib.
The Devil 159
Marriage ib.
Birth and Baptism 160
Death and Burial 161
Wounds, Diseases, etc 162
House, Field, etc 174
Birds, etc 180
The Elder 182
The Elements and Natural Phenomena 183
Miscellaneous 184
NETHERLANDISH POPULAR TRADITIONS.
Kaboutermannekens 187
Vlll CONTENTS.
Page
Kludde 193
Osschaert 195
The Necker 198
The Three Nixen of Jupille 199
Flerus 200
The Werwolf 201
The Maere 202
Dwarf- Smithies 205
Lodder ib.
Witchery 208
The Long Wapper of Antwerp 209
The Wikl Hunt 218
The Wihl Huntsman's Present 219
The Eternal Huntsman of Wjnandael ib.
Jack o' Lanterns baptized 220
Malegy 's Palfrey ib.
The Fiddlestick 228
The Fiddler tricked 230
The Fiddler in the Gallows-Field at Antwerp 231
The Wedding-Feast at Carron-St.-Martin 232
Riding on Calves 235
The Woman transformed to a Horse ib.
The Cats of Stockhem 236
A Witch bm-nt 238
The Red Cloth 239
The Tormented Witch 240
The Ace of Hearts pierced ib.
The Lost Chain 241
The Landmark removed 242
The Bold Soldier of Antwerp 243
Mariken of Nymwegcn 247
The Devil of Ncdcrbrackel 256
The Devil outwitted 258
The Freischutz , 259
The Baru of Montecouvez 261
CONTENTS. IX
Page
The Devil's Barn at Gallemaerde 263
How to become Invisible 264
The Travelling Mother ib.
The Lying-in Woman ih,
WanneThekla 265
The Everlasting Jew ih.
Elves ib.
Flabbaert 266
Why the Jews do not eat Swine's Flesh ib.
The Spectres' Mass 26/
Alvina 268
Roodselken ib.
The Burning Land-measurer ib.
Cowls hung on Sunbeams 269
\^liite Maidens and White Women in Friesland ib.
The Three Sisters 270
St. Gertrud's Minne ib.
The Lily 271
The Feather Heart ib.
Love-Magic 2/2
Thief's Foot— Thief s Hand— Thief's Finger 274
The Magic Sword 275
Witches' Ointment 276
Milk-taking— Milk beaten ib.
Corn-stealing 277
A Sorceress caught 278
Witchery expelled ....,- 279
The Gravedigger 280
The Coffin 281
Zevenbergen • '^^'^
How Count Baldwin of Flanders married a Devil 283
The Poacher of Wetteren-Overbeke 289
The Bloody Coach at Antwerp 290
The Sand-Gate at Mechhn ib.
Chess with the Devil 291
X CONTENTS.
Page
Falkenberg ^^^
The Monk of Afflighem 297
St. Julian the Ferryman *^-
Lohengrin and Elsa.— Lohengrin and Belaye 302
The Knight and the Swan W
Godfrey of Bouillon and the Swan 309
The Knight with the Swan «6.
Netherlandish Popular Belief 328
ORTH GERMAN POPULAR TRADITIONS.
I.
SCHLESWIG, HOLSTEIN, LAUENBURG^
THE CREATION OF ADAM.
From the Old Frisic.
God created the first man, which was Adam, from eight
things ; the bones from stone, the flesh from earth, the
blood from water, the heart from wind, the thoughts from
clouds, the sweat from dew, the hair from grass, the eyes
from the sun, and then blew in the holy spirit ; and then
from his rib he created Eve, Adam's companion.
See Wodana, p. xix. (from Richtliofen, p. 211), and remarks of Grimm
from Haupt's Zeitschrift. Compare also the account of man's creation in
the " Dialogue between Saturn and Solomon." Analecta Anglo-Saxonica,
p. 110, and "Anglo-Saxon Dialogues" (.Elfric Soc. edit, by Kemble),
p. 178.
THE EHRENGANG (WALK OF HONOUR).
In many places in the north of Germany, chiefly on
^ From Miillenhoff, Sagen, Miirchen und Lieder der Herzogtliiiiner
Schleswig, Holstein und Lauenburg. Kiel 1845, unless otherwise expressed.
B
cini
1
xNOKTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
lUMiccs or elevated plains, tlierc is found a species of
iuonument, consisting of a large number of granite stones,
])laccd in an oblong square. Four stones stand near to
cacli other, one of which is always much larger than the
rest. Such monuments are now known by the name of
' Ehrengang,' or // \ilk of honour, because, in ancient times,
princes and chieftains, after a victory, here, it is said, made
their solemn processions, accompanied with many cere-
monies. Near Nehmten, between Bornhoved and Stock-
see, and on the Kremsfeld near Segeberg, these monu-
ments are in the best preservation.
Near Raulnerg, in the ])ailiwick of Apenrade, there is a spot set round
with stones, called Kongens Heststald (the King's stable), where there was
once a great hattle.
THE LIME-TREE IN NORTORF.
On the south-west side of the churchyard in Nortorf ^
there stands a venerable three-branched lime-tree, beneath
whose boughs courts of justice, festivals, marriages, con-
tracts, etc. were anciently held and made. All contracts
were there made orally, and w^ere sealed, as it w^as called,
with a 'doppen.' This doppen consisted in simply
pressing the thumb against the trunk of the tree.
Between Blunienthal and Sprenge, to the south of Kiel, there stood
formerly the sacred Schwerk- or Dreieiche (triple oak). In its vicinity lay
an enormously huge stone, of which a portion of from 30 to 40 feet long
and 20 feet wide was to he seen in the last centur}-. A hill hard hy is
called the Ilciligenberg (Sacred hill). West])hal. Moninn. Ined. iv. pref. 216,
and the representation No. 21. Schroder Toi)ographie \on Ilolstein, i. 60.
OUR LADY ON HORSEBACK.
\\\w\\ the church of Delve in North Ditinarschen was
to be built, the ])eople, being unable to decide on a site
for it, caused an image of the A'irgin to be tied on a pied
J A town not far from Rendsburg.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 6
mare, which they let run whithersoever it wouldj and wherc-
cver it was found on the following* morning, there should
their church be erected. Next morning the mare was
found in a marshy spot thickly overgrown with thorns and
underwood. After having cut down and cleared all this,
they transferred their village thither, and named the
church ' Unse leve Fru up dem Perde,' or, Our Lady on
horseback.
THE DANCER,
At a splendid wedding in the old noble mansion of
Hoierswort in Eiderstedt ^, there was among the company
a young girl who was the most enthusiastic dancer far
and near ; she was, in fact, during the evening constantly
engaged in dancing. When her mother warned her against
it, she said petulantly : ^' If the devil himself were to call
me out, I would not refuse him ! " At the same instant
a stranger entered and invited her to dance. It was the
devil, to whom she had given her word. He whirled her
about so long that the blood at length issued from her
mouth, and she fell down dead. The traces are still
visible in the saloon, and are indelible. But the girl her-
self has no rest. Every night as the clock strikes twelve
she must rise from her grave and enter the saloon, an in-
fernal music then strikes up, and the w^hole mansion is in
an uproar. Every person, who may happen to pass a
night in the saloon, she calls up to dance ; but hitherto no
one has ventured to dance with her. Yet if any Christian
man would venture, she would be released. She once so
terrified a young dissipated fellow, that he lost all inclina-
tion for merry-making, and whenever he heard a violin,
fancied that the spectre had again broken loose.
^ A bailiwick on the west coast of Sleswig.
b2
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
Two yoiiiig damsels went together to take the sacra-
ment, having partaken of which, and while still by the altar,
one said to the otiier : " Do you go to the wedding this
evening ? '' " Don't speak of it/' said her companion ;
l)ut she continued : '' I shall go, and dance till I am tired :
I could dance myself dead to-day/' In the evening, while
at the wedding-party and in the height of the dancing, a
tall, comely young gentleman entered, whom no one knew,
who invited her to dance. At first they danced quite
soberly, but by degrees more and more madly, and even
when the musicians made a pause they continued without
intermission. To the rest of the company this seemed
mysterious, and they caused a song to be struck up, in the
hope of bringing them to a stand. But the stranger
danced with the damsel out at the door and vanished.
The girl was found in a dung-pit, into which she sank in
the sight of all. It was believed that her mother had,
while she was a child, sold her to the devil.
THE DEVIL AND THE CARD-PLAYERS.
In the village of Hellewadt, close on the high road lead-
ing from Apenrade to Liigumkloster, there is an inn called
the Kloveres (Ace of clubs), which name it derives from
the following incident. At this house, which did not stand
in the best repute, there was formerly much card- playing.
One winter evening a company was assembled there, among
whom there was no lack of cursing and swearing and un-
seemly conversation ; the devil of course being repeatedly
invoked ; when quite unexpected and observed by no one,
a journeyman mechanic entered the room and seated him-
self among the i)layers. In a short time all the luck
lurned to the side of the stranger, whereby the others
found themselves not in the best possible humour. A
card fell under the table, it was the ace of clubs, and when
one of the party stooped to pick it up, he observed that
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 5
the stranger had a horse^s foot. On this^ laying down his
cards^ he left the room without uttering a syllable. Ilis
conduct attracted the notice of the others, and a second
person now designedly let a card fall on the floor, when,
stooping to pick it up, he saw what the other had seen,
and like him silently left the place. Their example was
followed by the rest of the company, so that at length tlic
devil was left sitting by himself. The host was in the
greatest embarrassment ; in his perplexity he sent for the
clergyman to exorcise the evil one. The holy man came
with three books under his arm, two of which the devil
immediately kicked out of his hand, but the third he
luckily held fast. The clergyman then requested the people
of the house to give him a needle, with w hich he made a
hole in the lead of the casement, through which, by dint
of reading out of his book, he forced the fiend to pass and
seek the boundless space.
According to one version of the story, the priest, in-
stead of a needle, used a stick.
THE BEACON-BURNING.
On the day of St. Peter in Cathedra (Feb. 22) a great
festival was formerly held in North Friesland. It was a
spring festival ; for then the mariners left the shore and
put out to sea. On the eve of the above-mentioned day
great fires (biiken) were lighted on certain hills, and all
then, with their wives and sweethearts, danced round the
flames, every dancer holding in his hand a wisp of burn-
ing straw, which he swung about, crying all the time :
" Wedke teare ! '' or '' Vike tare ! " (Wedke, i. e. Woden,
consume !) ^
As late as the preceding century this festival was uni-
versally celebrated in North Friesland ; on the second day
1 That is, consume (accept) the offerings, as in the days of heathenism.
O NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
there were great feastings. The clergy had long declaimed
against it^ though without effect ; but one nighty before
St. Peter's day, the people of Kantum, having according
to custom called on ' Wede/ the fires being extinguished,
and all gone to rest, were awakened at midnight, and to
their astonishment saw an immense fire again burning on
the Biikenberg. On hurrying towards it for the purpose
of quenching it, they perceived a black monster resembling
a large poodle slinking down the hill. The dread was
now general that they would for ever have to harbour the
devil, or that at least he would be a frequent visitor anions:
them ; they consequently made a vow from that day never
to repeat the beacon-burning. Nevertheless on Wester-
landfohr and Osterlandsilt the children still kindle bon-
fires on the 22nd February.
On the island of Silt the Spring- or Petrithing (court) ^as anciently held
on the Thing-hill on the 22nd Fe])ruary. The Summer- or Petri-Paulithing
took ])lace on the 29th June, and the Autumn-thing on the 26th October.
In Ditmarschen, on Walpurgis eve (April 30th) they kindle great fires on
the hills aud crossways, wliich they call * liaken ' (Ijeacons). The boys and
young people bring straw and dry boughs from all parts, and the night is
])assed amid rejoicing and dancing about the flames. Some of the larger
youths take bundles of burning straw on a fork, and run about swinging
them imtil they are burnt out. On the island of Femern (which was
])eo])led from Ditmarschen) they in like manner celebrate the 30th April
with the lighting of beacons (bakenbrennen). In the ^Vilstermarsch the
boys and youths, on Easter eve, carry large bundles of lighted straw about
the fields ; and in East Ilolstein, both on Easter eve and St. John's eve,
they light fires on the hills and roads.
NO SPINNING ON SATURDAY EVENING.
That there should be no spinning on a Saturday eveninii;
is a wide-spread belief, as it brings only detriment and
punishment. There were two old women, good friends,
and the most indefatigable spinners in the village ; so
that in fact their wheels, even on a Saturday eveninir,
never stood still. At length one of them died ; but on the
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 7
Saturday evening following she appeared to the other, who
as usual was busy at her wheel, and showed her her burn-
ing hand, saying : —
Sieh, was ich in der Holle gevvann. See what I in hell have won,
Weil ich am Sonnabendabend Because on Saturday eve I
spann ! spun !
NOR IN THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS.
In these twelve days there should be no spinning, nor
any llax left on the distaff, else ' Wode ' will galloj)
through it.
A woman, nevertheless, resolved on making the experi-
ment, and sat down and spun, but immediately sank into
a profound sleep, from which she woke only by some one
opening the door and entering. The intruder demanded
the spinning- w^heel to be given him, and began to spin.
The woman could do nothing but continually keep throw-
ing to him what flax she had, but which was all immediately
spun, wound and rolled up. The devil then demanded
more, and the woman brought him all the tow she had in
the house, and then all her wool ; but he still called for
more, and it was yet only four o^clock in the morning and
the day far distant. In her tribulation the woman ran to
a neighbour, a cunning old crone, who was already aware
of what was going forward in the house ; for she came out
to meet her, and fortunately soon relieved her from her
troublesome visitor. Had the devil spun up all, and the
woman been unable to supply him till daybreak, it would
have cost her her life.
NEW YEAR'S EVE.
On New Yearns eve the cows and horses speak with one
another. A peasant who was sceptical on this point laid
himself in the rack and listened. At midnight he heard
one horse say to another : " This year we shall get rid of
8 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
our master." This so terrified him that he fell sick and
soon after died. The same horses drew him to the church -
yard.
On the same ni^ht^ or on the eve of some other festival,
at twelve o^clock all water is turned into wine. A woman
was so foolhardy as to go one night to a well. While
bending over it for the purpose of drawing from it, there
came one and said,
All Water is Wyn, All water is wiue,
unn dyn beiden Ogen siiut myn ; and thy two eyes are mine ;
at the same time depriving her of both her eyes. Others
relate of another woman that it was said to her,
All Water is Wyn, All water is wine,
unn wat dar by is myn, and what thereby is mine,
and instantly the woman disappeared.
DIVINE SERVICE OF THE DEAD.
One night an old woman in Kiel awoke and thought it
was time to go to morning service ; for it seemed to ber
that she heard the bells and the organ. She rose accord-
ingly, took cloak and lantern — for it was winter — and
went to the church of St. Nicholas. But when there she
could not find the psalms, as the whole congregation sang
quite diff*erently from what stood in her psalm-book ; the
people also appeared unknown to her, but among them
she perceived one woman who exactly resembled a neighbour
that had been dead for many years. A woman then ap-
proached her, who had also been long in her grave ; it was
her gossip. This woman told her that she must go out ;
for the church at that time was not for her ; but that she
must not look round, else evil might befall her. The
woman went out as quickly as she could, and as the church -
door was sla]nmcd after her, her cloak was caught. At tliis
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. V
moment the clock struck twelve. She unclasped her cloak
from her shoulders, with the intention of fetching it away
in the morning ; but when she returned for that purpose,
she found it torn into little fragments, the dead having
tripped over it.
THE SPECTRE AT GRAMM.
The countess Anna Sophia Schack became a widow at
an early age. At Gramm she passed a life of dissipation
and licentiousness, and finally sold her soul to the devil.
After a certain number of years the fiend was to fetch
her away on an appointed evening, as soon as the wax
light on the table should be burnt out. At Gramm things
now went on more madly than ever. The appointed
evening at length came, and the wax light w^as standing
before the countess, who was now seized with unutterable
anguish. She sent for the clergyman and to him commu-
nicated her secret. He advised her to extinguish the
light and cause the little piece remaining to be enclosed
within the east wall of the church. This was done, and
the evil one had no power over her. Shortly after a fire
broke out in the church. It was early in the morning,
and the countess w^as still in bed when the intelligence
reached her. On hearing it she instantly sprang up, and
in her light morning attire and without shoes hurried to
the church, which stood about a mile and a quarter distant
from her dwelling. By her earnest entreaties and pro-
mises she encouraged the people to extinguish the fire, so
that at least the east wall might be preserved. From that
time the countess became an altered person ; her cheer-
fulness and good humour had fied and given place to a
gnawing sorrow which brought her to the grave. But at
midnisht a beautifnl female form in snow-white attire is
seen in the castle, wringing her hands, with downcast,
anxious countenance, pacing incessantly from one apart-
B 5
10 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
ment to another, and at last stopping in the upper saloon
of the centre building, where, standing for some minutes
before the firc-})lace, she gazes motionless on some blood-
spots, and then vanishes.
A young countess, who in later times was on a visit to
Gramm, was, while sitting at the harpsichord, so terriiied
by the apparition that she shortly after died. No one
enters the old mansion without shuddering.
THE CONGERS.
In Keitum on the island of Silt a woman died before
her delivery, and appeared several times to the servant of
the clergyman, and had no rest in the grave, until her
scissors, needle and thread were placed by her side. This
is a common usage in North Fricsland.
There are many apparitions there, or ^ Gougers ^ ; for
whoever is unjustly slain, or has removed land-marks, or
fraudulently ploughed off land, finds no rest in the grave.
Blasphemers, and those that have cursed themselves, and
suicides must in like manner appear again. To such a
Gonger let no one hold out his hand ; it will be burnt,
become black, and fall off.
When any one is drowned at sea, he announces it to his
relations. Though the Gonger does not announce himself
to his nearest of kin, but to those in the third or fourth
degree. In the evening twilight or at night he appears in
the clothes in which he was drowned. He then looks in at
the house door, and leans with his arm against it, or else
wanders about the house, but soon disappears and returns
on the following evening at the same hour. By night —
usually in heavy, drawn-up boots that are filled with water
— he will open the chamber door, extinguish the light,
and lie down on the coverlet by the side of the sleeper.
In the morning there is a stream of sea-water in the room,
that has trickled from his clothes. If the relations are
NORTH GERMAN TRADITION!
11
not convinced by these signs, the Gonger will continue to
appear until they believe that he has perished. He also
gives other notices : it is related that
A mariner with his two sons once sailed from Amrum
with seed bound for Holland. The younger son had no
inclination for the voyage, and implored his mother to let
him remain at home ; but she told him it was his father^s
will, and that go he must. When on their way to the
harbour at Bosk, in passing over the dam, he said to his
mother and the others with him : " Think of me when you
pass over these stones." In the same night they perished.
The mariner^s sister dwelt in the same house with him ;
at night she had laid her white neck -kerchief by her bed,
and in the morning found on it three drops of blood. She
then knew that her relations had perished and had been
with her during the night.
THE STAVE iN-WtJFK El.
This is a spectre resembling a mourning woman, who
appears on old pasture grounds, hills and void places,
where houses once had stood, but which now, naked and
desolate, are either washed by the sea or surrounded by
the sand of the downs. Sometimes she wanders about
these melancholy places, and sometimes is seen sitting
and weeping on the spot where once had been the domestic
hearth^.
THE LAND-DIVIDER.
At the time of the partition and fencing of the land,
there arose between the villages of Alversdorf and Host, in
South Ditmarschen, great disputes about their boundaries.
The partition could not be determined until a man of
1 From Staven, the place on which a house stands or has once stood, arid
Wiifke, lit. ivifekin, Ger. Weibchen. She is likcAvise called the Stadcin-
Wiiflve.
2 Kohl, Marschen und Inseln, ii. 289.
1.2 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
Alversdorf declared that he knew it accurately and would
settle it on oath. For this purpose he went to the boun-
daiy of the Alversdorf land, by the ford at Tensbiittcl,
where it passes through the Gieselau, filled his shoes with
sand, then appeared near Rost, and made oath that he was
standing on Alversdorf ground. By this fraud he believed
he had avoided perjury. But after death he was doomed
to wander on the boundary-line as a fire-sprite. A flame,
the height of a man, was there long to be seen dancing
about, until the moor was dried up. Whenever it flared
up higher than usual, the people would cry out : " Dat is
de Scheelvacgt ! " (That is the land-divider !) At the spot
where he put the sand into his shoes, every one, who
passes at night and has not a pure conscience, must for
a considerable distance bear the devil on his back like a
burthen of a hundred pounds weight.
Between the lordship of Roest and the village of Raben-
kirchen in Angeln there was once a dispute about a wood.
The lord one morning filled his shoes with earth from his
garden, stuck twigs from the trees in his court-yard in his
hat, and made oath in the wood, which lawfully belonged
to the village of Rabenkirchen, that he was standing on
his own ground, and that the boughs above his head
were his.
THE BLACK SCHOOL.
Of the Black School there is much to tell both in North
Friesland and in the Danish territories. The devil in
person is the teacher, and ])reachers just entering on their
career are there instructed. Almost every pastor knows
something of the black art, while others are perfect adepts
in it ; but have therefore assigned their souls to the devil,
though under certain conditions. One, for instance, must
during his whole life wear one and the same woollen under-
waistcoat; another may shave himself only on Saturdays;
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 13
a third may wear only one garter; a fourth has bound
himself never to enter a churchy or never to stay in one
longer than an hour or half an hour. If from inadver-
tence they once only transgress the condition^ their soul
is for ever lost. Eveiy one who has been in the Black
School has power over spirits, and is specially skilled in
exorcising the ghosts of the departed and other spectres.
With one word they can wish themselves from one place
to another, and know all that passes at home in their
absence.
A certain Pastor Fabricius in Medelbye was particularly
skilful. Once, while at a christening in Holt, he com-
pelled a youngster, who was in the act of robbing an
apple-tree in the parsonage garden, to sit in it till he re-
turned home and released him. At another time, while
in the middle of a sermon, he struck the cushion of the
pulpit and cried : " Stop ! '' and as the people were leaving
the church, there stood a man, as fixed as a statue, with a
sack full of fresh-cut grass that he had stolen from the
churchvard during the service. He had many magical
books. One day during church-time his maid-servant was
cleaning his study, and through curiosity began to read in
a little book she found there. On a sudden all seemed
alive in the room, and a multitude of the most hideous forms
and spectres made their appearance, approaching nearer
and nearer to the girl, who was almost dead with fright.
The priest, who in the church was instantly aware of what
was going on at home, suddenly in the middle of his ser-
mon said ^'^Amen,^^ hurried to his house, and laid the
spirits, who would else have destroyed the girl.
But the devil is always laying traps for those that have
made a contract with him, and if the above-mentioned
Pastor Fabricius had put on more than one garter, the
fiend would have carried him off. But the devil was no
match for Pastor Fabricius, who was always on his guard,
14 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
when in the morninr^ he saw two garters lying by his bed.
The devil would also frequently^ in the shape of a flea,
torment the maid-servant while knitting stockings for her
master, and canse her to err in the number of stitches.
The stocking would then generally be too wide and hang
loose about the parson^s heels, though he cared but little
for that. In fact, the devil could never get an advantage
over him.
Pastor Zieglcr, the author of a Holstein Idiotikon, never wore more
than one garter. People said that he had entered into a contract with
the devil, and that when it was expired the devil came to fetch him. The
pastor would first dress himself decently and was very dilatory, put on his
stockings inside out, etc. When tying liis second garter, the devil, burst-
ing with vexation, said to him that he would wait only till he had finished
tying his garter. " In that case then," said Ziegler, " I will never tie it
as long as I live;" and again laid himself down to sleep. The devil was
obliged to depart.
FAST-READING.
A man went one day into one of the churches of Ham-
burg, and found at the back of the altar a book, in which
he began to read, and went on reading and reading, till
he at length read himself fast. He strove to release him-
self and to give his thoughts another direction, but in
vain ; he was obliged to stand reading on and on, while a
cold sweat stood on his forehead and he trembled in every
limb ; he would have died, had he not been observed by
an old man, who, it is said, was a Catholic priest, who
guessing what had befallen him, advised him to read the
whole backwards; for that only by so doing he could
release himself. The man did so and escaped without
further inconvenience.
FAST-WRITING.
In Wilster many persons are masters of what is termed
fast-jrrifiiif/. Two thieves having one night broken into
the house of a rich mau, and violently demanded his keys,
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 15
he intimated to them that if they would only abstain from
violence^ he would deliver to them everything, which they
might peaceably divide between them ; he wished merely
that all might be done quietly and regularly. When
the thieves had got possession of the money, they sat
down at the table and began to divide it ; but when they
had finished their work and were about to rise, they could
neither move their hands from the money nor the money
from the table. In the mean while the household was
assembled. " Oho/^ said the master, " we may now go
quietly to bed again, they can very comfortably remain
sitting.^" On the following morning, having sent for the
police, he loosed the thieves.
Another, whose cabbages were constantly stolen from
his garden, wrote the thief fast from Saturday night till
Sunday, when he was just in the act of passing over the
fence with a full load on his back. There he was com-
pelled to sit riding on the fence while all the people were
going to and returning from church, so that all might see
him. He was then released and allowed to depart.
TURNING THE SIEVE.
During a time of war a butcher of Amrum, having more
business than he could well manage alone, took the son of
a neighbour to assist him. In this youth he placed so
much confidence that he even showed him the place in
which he had laid by a few hundred dollars. This the
son communicated to his mother, and both were seized
with an irresistible desire to get possession of the money ;
so that on the following morning, when the mother came
for a pound or two of meat, the son contrived to place the
bag containing the money in the bottom of her basket.
When the butcher some days after discovered his loss, his
suspicion immediately fell on his assistant ; but the other
protested his innocence, swearing by all that is holy.
16 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
There was at this time in Morsum on Silt a celebrated
sorcerer, who could discover thieves and compel them to
restore the stolen property. The butcher sent his wife
thither, and the sorcerer immediately took his measures.
He ordered a flour-sieve to be brought, placed in it a key
and a pair of scissors, and set it on a large vessel filled
with water. He then uttered some magical sentences, and
the woman pronounced several times the names of all sus-
pected persons. As often as she mentioned the name of
her neighbour, the key and scissors danced about; and
when the sorcerer desired her to look into the water, she
plainly saw her husband's assistant in the act of handing
the money to his mother. But the sorcerer informed her
that it would not be possible to recover the money, be-
cause the thieves had already crossed the water with it.
Ill Ditmarschcn, for this process with the sieve, they use a family hible
and family key. The latter is laid for a few minutes in the former, for
the sake of sanctifying it ; the cunning man then takes the key, causes the
sieve to turn round upon it, pronouncing at the same time the several
names, when that person is the thief at the mention of whose name the
sieve falls.
In Meklenburg the process is somewhat different. They there take a
sieve, that has been inherited from relations, lay it on the rim, open a i)air
of inherited scissors, and stick the points so deep hito the rim of the sieve
that it may be supported by them. Two then, of opposite sexes, go with
the sieve into a perfectly dark place, hold the middle finger of the right
hand under the ring of the scissors, and so raise up the sieve. It is very
clear that the ring will slide from the finger on the slightest motion, and
the sieve fall down, it being hardly possible to hold it level in the dark.
One then asks the other: " In the name, etc. I ask of thee ; tell me truly
and lie not : who has stolen this or that ? Has Hans, Fritz, Peter, done
it ? " On naming the guilty one, the rimj sUdcs off, the sieve falls to the
ground, and the thief is detected.
According to other accounts the operation is peiformed in the light, and
the sieve does not fall, but turns. Grimm, D. M. p. 10G2.
In England, " the vulgar, in many parts, have an abominable practice of
using a riddle and a pair of scissors in divination. If they have had any
thing stolen from them, tlie riddle and shears are sure to be resorted to.
A similar mode of discovering thieves or others susjjccted of any crime
prevailed among the Greeks." Vide Potter's Gr. Antiq. i. p. 3J2, Brocket,
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 17
voce Riddle. Grimm, D. M. p. 1062, also vol. ii. p. 269, No. 8. Kuhn und
Schwartz, Norddeutsche Sagen, p. 523.
A MURDERER CITED.
In a public-house in Tondern some profane persons were
sitting at cards during divine service. The game became
more and more exciting^ and in the dispute which followed,
one stabbed the other with his knife. The murderer fled.
Allien the dead was to be buried, the coffin was borne to
the market-place and there set down ; it was then struck
on the lid with a hammer, and the murderer was cited.
He was at the time in Riga, and afterwards discovered
himself to a friend who came thither, to whom he told the
hour in which those hammer strokes struck into his heart.
THE MAGIC KETTLE.
There was once in Oppendorp a young serving-man,
who was a very strong, useful fellow. This was at the
time when all the talk was about giving the serfs their
freedom. The young fellows were overjoyed at the pro-
spect, but could not await the day of their emancipation.
Among the rest, to our serving-man also the time seemed
too long, so one morning, when he ought to have been at
the plough, he was far away over the hills. His master
was vexed at thus losing his best man, and did all he
could to get him back, but not a trace of him could be
obtained.
After some time there came a Jew up to the farm, to
whom they related the story. The Jew said: "We can
very well get him again. ^^ This the people told to their
master, who let the Jew come to him and asked him if
what he had said were true ? The Jew said, " Yes,^^ pro-
vided he had what was requisite for the purpose and also
good payment. The payment was soon agreed on, and
the Jew undertook to get the man back, if he had a piece
of any stuff that he had worn for a year. The master
18 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
ordered search to be made, and an old under-jacket was
found. The Jew then ordered a black cock and a black
he-cat to be caught ; these he killed, and then took some
other thmgs, but which he kept quite secret. At night
he set a large kettle on the fire, into which, at midnight,
he put the jacket, the black cat, the black cock, and the
other things, and began boiling them. And he boiled and
boiled all night and the following day, so that he boiled
twice twenty-four hours. When it was evening there
came a man running up the yard, covered with mud from
head to foot and breathless, who on reaching the house-
door fell down senseless from exhaustion. It was the
runaway servant. On coming to himself, his first words
w^ere: "Heaven be praised that I am again in Oppendorp!"
He said that he had been in Amsterdam, that he woke
one night and was so excited as he had never been in his
life. He felt obliged to dress himself, he knew not why ;
and then he was forced to run without cessation both by
night and by day. How he crossed the water he knew
not ; tired and hungry as he was it mattered not, he was
forced to run on and on, being unable to stand for a
moment still.
THE DEVIL'S CAT.
A peasant had three beautiful, large cats. A neighbour
begged to have one of them, and obtained it. To accus-
tom it to the place, he shut it up in the loft. At night
the cat, popping its head through the window, said :
"What shall I bring to-night?" "Thou shalt bring
mice," answered the man. The cat then set to work, and
cast all it caught on the floor. Next morning the place
was so full of dead mice that it was hardly possible to open
the door, and the man was employed the whole day in
throwing them away by bushels. At night the cat again
put its head through the aperture and asked: " AVliat
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 19
shall I bring to-night ?" "Thou shalt bring rye/^ an-
swered the peasant. The cat was now busily employed in
shooting down rye^ so that in the morning the door could
not be opened. The man then saw that the cat was a
witch, and carried it back to his neighbour, in which he
acted prudently ; for had he given it work a third time,
he could never have got rid of it. In one respect, how-
ever, he did not act prudently, to wit, in not saying the
second time: ^^ Thou shalt bring gold/^ for then he
would have got as much gold as he did rye.
MONOLOKE.
There was in former times a spirit known among the
people under the name of Monoloke ; so that when any
one became unexpectedly rich, it was said of him : " The
Monoloke peeps out of his pocket." The Monoloke was
a puppet made in the deviPs name of white wax, and was
clad in a petticoat of blue taffety, with a vest of black vel-
vet ; the legs and feet were bare. Those who would derive
aid from it must preserve it carefully and keep it clean.
WITCHES IN FRIESLAND.
Tlie people of Donsum, in the island of Fohr, are ac-
counted sorcerers ; the women in particular are all said to
be witches. On this account no one cares to hold any
intercourse with them, and no one marries out of the vil-
lage. On a Friday no woman is to be found at home;
because on that day they hold their meetings and have
dances on a barren heath. In the evening they ride thither
on horses, though usually they have wings on their
shoulders and fly. In their flight they are often unable
to stop at the right time, so that if a church stecj)le is in
their way, they fly against it. From hurts received in their
fall, on the following day they lie sick. Where their
dances have been held, there may be found on the next
^0 NORTH GERMAN TRADITION'S.
(lay rags and tatters of all kinds and colours, pieces of
riband, needles with which in bewitched wax they have
pierced many a one^s heart, blood and matter. They can
transform themselves into cats and horses, swans and
eagles. A young man once went to visit his betrothed ;
when about to enter the house, there lay a white horse in
the door-way. This was just on a Friday evening. A
man, who had been much annoyed by witches, going once
out a shooting, saw a bird with a plumage of surprising
beauty. He aimed at and shot it, when the bird became
a woman. As a bridal pair were passing by a lake near
Donsum, there were some swans sailing on the water,
seeing which the bride said : " I will just go to the swans
for a moment.^' She went, and the swans proved to be
her sisters. She also became a swan, and they all fluttered
and beat with their wings. The bridegroom had to go
home alone. The witches often change themselves into
seals, and follow the mariners and fishermen. They fre-
quently enter houses in the shape of toads. Children are
to be carefully protected from their look. If a riband or
a small cord with a knot in it is found lying in the way,
let no one touch it, for the witches have placed it there.
No one may lend to the witches any sharp instrument, as
scissors, a knife, and, least of all, needles. A man^s cow
died : he set the heart with the other entrails on the fire
and boiled them, when the witch (who had killed the cow)
was obliged to come. When no butter will come, it is
usual to stick knives round the cover of the churn ; the
first woman that then enters is the witch. Houses and
stables may be protected from witches by nailing a horse^s
foot over the door, or burying a lizard alive under the
threshold. Asa-foetida is also used for the same pur])ose'.
The foregoing holds good not only of the women in Donsum, but also of
' See vol. ii. p. 75.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 21
those of Silt, Amrnm, and the other islands. On the 1st May they all ride
to the Blocksherg.
WITCHES.
A^lioever desires to become a witch yields lierself to the
devil and abjures God in these words :
Hier trete ich in dieses Nest, Here enter I in this one's nest,
Und verlasse unsern Herrn And forsake our Lord Jesus
Jesu Christ ! Christ !
Then will the sorcery succeed^ in which they instruct one
another, and which they learn from the devil, who comes
to them. On St. John's eve and on the 1st May they
have their meetings and dances. From these assemblies
they return home sick almost to death. Of all witches it
is related, that on Wolber's (Walburg's) eve they ride to
the Blocksherg. On that evening no one may hinder
them, and whoever makes a cross over the door through
which they must pass, will afterwards feel their vengeance,
and get a severe beating. They pass through chimneys
and holes, and ride on brooms, he-goats, cats, cocks, old
sows, asses and spotted dogs, which the devil frequently
sends them.
Of their merry-making on the Rugenberg it is related,
that as soon as the witches, each in her own fashion, are
all arrived, they prepare a repast, either of geese or fresh
(i. e. unsalted, unsmoked) beef sprinkled with mustard,
with which they eat bread baked in an iron pot, and drink
beer out of wooden or tin cups. The devil brings the
kettle with him from Liitjenbrode. Then the dancing
begins, when each witch dances with a devil, while an old
woman sings and two kettles are beaten. On the sur-
rounding mountains fires shine forth. Whoever approaches
is drawn into the circle and whirled about till he sinks
down breathless. When day dawns they all vanish. On
the following morning are to be seen on the mountain
22 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
traces of fowls and of horses^ and goats^ feet, and in the
middle lies a heap of ashes.
If an old woman is suspected of being a witch, it is the
custom to throw^ a handful of salt after her, when, if she
really is a witch, she will look round. When any one who
is thought to be a witch will enter a house, it is merely
necessary to place a broom inverted in the door-way : if
she is a witch, she cannot enter. Some young men once
adopted the following plan. On St. John^s eve they went
to a meadow, where they rolled themselves naked in the
dew. On the Sunday following they went to the church,
and saw that every woman who was a witch carried a milk-
pail on her head ^ ; and the number of these was very great,
both women and girls.
A couple of young peasants once resolved to watch the
witches on St. John^s eve, and for this purpose put the
horses to a pair of patrimonial harrows, with which they
drove out on one side of the village, one going to the right,
the other to the left. They went round the village till
they met on the opposite side. The circle which they
thus drew round the place the witches could not trans-
gress. They left one small opening where they awaited
the witches, and placed the two harrows aslant against
each other, beneath which they laid themselves. At mid-
night all the witches flew out from their several chimneys
on pitchforks and broomsticks. They all had to pass bv
the two, and among them one of them recognised his own
wife. " Are you there too, my old woman V cried he,
and thus betrayed himself; and the witches all rushing
upon him, drove the sharp spikes of the harrow into his
body; for he had been so thoughtless as to turn them
inwards. He did not escape with life.
» See vol. ii. p. 275, No. 54.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 23
A^Tioever desires to see the witches dance, must take an
old plank from a coffin lid, from which a knot has heen
thrust, and peep through the hole.
THE AYITCHES' PRESENT.
Late one night as a musician was on the road from
Todendorf to Puttgarden, he was met by a number of
witches, w^ho immediately surrounded him, and said :
" Play us some tune.^^ Fright prevented him from speak-
ing, but at length he contrived to tell them that he had
no violin. '^'^That makes no difference," answered the
witches, " for we have one." When he began playing,
they danced wildly around him, springing as high as a
house. At last they were tired, and gave the man for
reward an apronful of ^krobels^ (a sort of apple-cake).
On reaching home, he laid the violin and the krobels on
a shelf and went to bed. On the following morning, when
he went to look at his presents, the violin proved to be an
old cat, the bow a cat's tail, and the krobels nothing but
horse-dung.
WIND-KNOTS.
At Siseby on the Slei there dwelt a woman who was a
sorceress and could change the wind. The Sleswig herring-
fishers used frequently to land there. Once when they
w^ould return to Sleswig, the wind being west, they re-
quested the woman to change it. She agreed to do so
for a dish of fish. She then gave them a cloth with three
knots, telling them they might undo the first and the
second, but not the third until they had reached land.
The men spread their sails, although the wind was west ;
but no sooner had the oldest of the party undone the first
knot, than there came a beautiful fair wind from the east.
On undoing the second knot they had storm, and arrived
at the city with the utmost speed. They were now curious
to know what would follow if they undid the third knot ;
24 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
but no sooner had they done so than a violent hurri-
cane assailed them from the west, so that they were obliged
to leap into the water, in order to draw their vessel on
shore.
THE ST. JOIIN'S-BLOOD.
At Klostersand near Elmshorn there was formerly, be-
tween the Pilgerberg and the Kuppelberg, the so-called
Ilexenkuhle. Here on certain days, particularly on St.
John^s day, between twelve and one o^ clock, old women
may be seen wandering about in search of a plant which
grows only on the Pilgerberg. This plant has in its root
grains containing a purple-red juice, which they call St.
John's blood. This the old women collect in tin boxes
and carefully preserve it. But it is only when gathered
at noon that it can perform miracles^ ; when the clock
strikes one, its virtue is passed.
THE WAXEN IMAGE.
A man in Amrum lay for a long time sick, and nothing
afforded him relief. While he so lay, a miller observed
from his mill that a woman was in the daily habit of going
to the 'Donk'am.-' He one day followed her footsteps,
dug, and found in the sand a little waxen image of a man
with a pin stuck through the heart. He drew the pin
out, took the image home, and burnt it. From that hour
the man became well.
THE WITCHES STUFF IN DISSENSION.
When a bridal bed is to be stuffed, great caution is
necessary ; for the witches can stuff into it either harmony
or dissension, according as they may be affected to the
bridal pair. For a young couple, who fondly loved each
other, but against whom certain old women bore a grudge,
they stuffed in dissension. Both bride and bridegroom
1 " These flowers were cuU'd at noon." — Moore.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 25
had passed a happy wedding-day, but scarcely were they
in bed when they began to quarrel, till at length they
came to blows. The parents of the bridegroom, who lay
ni a bed near, heard the noise, but could not restore peace
between them. They then advised the young couple to
transfer themselves to their bed, which they did and passed
the night amicably. But no sooner had the old folks laid
themselves in the other bed than they began quarreling,
though they had never before had a difference between
them; and this lasted till morning. They then examined
the bed, when, on taking out the feathers, they found
them all twisted together in wreaths and rings with silken
threads of all colours. Now it was manifest that the old
women who had stuffed the bed were witches, and had
twisted dissension into it.
In Amrum a man lay sick and bewitched to death. While placing him
in the coffin one of his legs feU off. On opening his pillow, a be^^^tched
wreath of feathers of all sorts and colours was found in it.
WITCHES TAKE BUTTER.
There was a time when the witches were particularly
mischievous. It was then indispensable for every house-
wife to have a handle made of the wood of the service
(quicken) tree to her churn ; else she could never be sure
of getting butter. A man one morning early, on his way
from Jagerup to Hadersleben, heard, as he passed by
Woiensgaard, that they were churning in the yard; but
at the same time he obsei-ved that a woman whom he knew
was standing by the side of a running brook and churning
with a stick in the water. On that same day he again
saw her selling a large lump of butter in Hadersleben. In
the evening as he again passed by Woiens, they were still
churning; whereupon he went to the house and assured
them that their labour was all in vain, for the butter was
already sold at Hadersleben.
26 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
THE SEVERED HAND i.
In Eiderstedt there was a miller who had the misfortune
to have his mill burnt every Christmas eve. He had, how-
ever, a courageous servant who undertook to keep watch
in the mill on that portentous night. He kindled a blazing
fire and made himself a good kettleful of porridge, which
he stirred about with a large ladle. He had an old sabre
lying by him. Ere long there came a whole regiment of
cats into the mill, and he heard one say in a low tone to
another: ^^Mousekin! go and sit by Hanskin ! '' and a
beautiful milk-white cat came creeping softly to him and
would place herself by his side. At this, taking a ladleful
of the scalding porridge, he dashed it in her face, then
seizing the sabre, he cut off one of her paws. The cats
now all disappeared. On looking at the paw more atten-
tively, he found, instead of a paw, that it was a woman^s
delicate hand, with a gold ring on one of the fingers,
whereon was his master^s cypher. Next morning the
miller's wife lay in bed and would not rise. ''Give me
thy hand, wife!" said the miller. At first she refused,
but was obliged at length to hold out her mutilated limb.
When the authorities got intelligence of this event, the
woman was burnt for a witch.
A WITCH AS A HARE.
In Bodelsdorf there dwelt, and perhaps still dwells, a
very old woman, in whose service no one would e^ cr con-
tinue ; for when the servants were employed in the fields
she always knew exactly what they had done and said, as
she was ever present among them. Sometimes she would
be a duck and swim on the water ; then, if the men and
girls pelted her with stones, she would merely dive down
and rise immediately afterwards. At other times she
would be a hare and run through the corn when it was
1 See vol. ii. p. 32.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
cut, and never received a hurt, however often the men
shot at her. But once, when they were going out to mow,
one of the men provided himself with a silver button, with
which he loaded his piece and shot the hare. On his re-
turn in the evening he found the old woman with a wound
in her arm which would never heal. With inherited silver
a person may hit whatever has been rendered invulnerable
by sorcery. Both muskets and rifles can be bewitched,
and there are persons who can cause bullets to glide off
from them in another direction. When a gun is bewitched,
the best remedy is to put a living snake into the barrel and
shoot it off; then will the sorcery be neutralized. In-
herited silver is, moreover, useful in numerous other cases.
If a little be scraped off and given to a sick person, the
paroxysms will abate. If any one has an inherited ear=ring,
and wears it, it will relieve the most violent tooth-ache.
When a witch is wounded with such a silver button or
bullet, she must resume her natural form.
WERWOLVES.
On a hot harvest day some reapers lay down in the field
to take their noontide sleep, when one who could not sleep
observed that the one next to him rose softly and girded
himself with a strap, whereupon he became a wolf.
By addressing a werwolf thrice by his baptismal name,
he resumes his human form.
A young man belonging to Jagerup returning late one
night from Billund, was attacked, when near Jagerup, by
three werwolves, and would probably have been torn to
pieces, had he not saved himself by leaping into a rye-field ;
for then they had no more power over him.
THE LONG HORSE.
Some young persons belonging to Kassoe, a village near
c2
28 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
Apenrade, being one Sunday evening on their way to a
dance at Hiidewad, when they came to a brook that runs
between the two villages, found themselves unable to cross
it, in consequence of the recent rains that had greatly
swelled it. While looking about them, they perceived an
old horse standing close by, and resolved on mounting
him and riding through the rivulet. But when one pair
had mounted, they saw there was still room for another;
and when another mounted, there was place for a fourth ;
till that at length the whole party seated themselves on
his back. When in the middle of the rivulet, one who
sat foremost happening to look round, and seeing so many
persons sitting on the horse's back, cried out in astonish-
ment : " Cross of Jesus, what a long jade \" But scarcely
had he uttered the words, when the goblin horse's back
snapped asunder, the riders all fell into the water, and the
horse vanished with an appalling howl.
THE MANNIGFUAL OR GIANT SHIP.
The North Frisic mariners tell of a gigantic ship, the
' Mannigfual.' This ship is so vast that the captain always
rides about the deck on horseback, for the purpose of
giving his orders. The sailors, who chmb up the rigging
when young, come down again stricken in years with grey
beards and hair. ^Yh\\e so employed they keep themselves
alive by frequent visits to the blocks of the cordage, which
contain rooms for refection.
This monstrous vessel once steered its course from the
Atlantic ocean into the British channel ; but being unable,
on account of the narrowness of the strait, to pass between
Dover and Calais, the captain had the lucky thought of
having the whole larboard side smeared over with white
soap. This operation proved effectual; the Mannigfual
passed through safely and entered the North sea. From
that tune the cliffs of Dover got their white, soapy appear-
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 29
ance, from the soap that was rubbed off, and the foam
raised by the motion of the vessel.
Once the giant ship (we are not told how) found itself
in the Baltic ; but the crew soon discovered that the water
was too shallow. To get afloat again, they found it neces-
sary to throw the ballast together with the dirt and ashes
of the galley overboard. From the ballast the isle of Born-
holm derives its origin, and from the rubbish the little
neighbouring isle of Christianso.
THE BASILISK.
When a cock is seven (according to others twenty) years
old, it lays an egg, out of which comes an animal, which
is the basilisk. All living things, on which it directs its
look, must instantly die, and even stones burst asunder.
There have been people who have kept such an animal for
many years in a dark cellar ; but durst not open the cellar,
lest the light should enter. If a mirror be held before a
basilisk, and it thus gets a sight of itself, it must die like
another being'.
THE NIGHTMARE.
When seven boys or seven girls are born in succession,
one among them is a nightmare, that visits those sleeping,
sets itself on their breast, oppresses and torments them.
A man had got such a nightmare for his wife without
knowing it ; but he was soon sensible that many nights
she had disappeared from his bed. One night, therefore,
he kept himself awake in order to watch her, and saw how
she rose from the bed and, as the door was fast bolted,
slipt through the hole for the strap by which the latch was
lifted up. After some time she returned by the way she
went. Next morning the man stopt up the opening in
the door, and now always found his wife by his side.
1 See vol. ii. p. 212.
30 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
When a considerable time had passed^ the man thinking
she had cast off and forgotten her bad habit, drew out the
peg, in order to use the latch again ; but in the following
night, the woman was missing and never came back^;
though every Sunday morning the man found clean linen
laid out for him.
Tlie mistletoe is recommended as a remedy for the nightmare ; it is,
therefore, sometimes called marentakken (mare-hranches), or alfranken
(elf-tendrils). Thunder-stones are likewise considered a remedy.
THE HEL-HORSE.
At Jordkirch, in the neighbourhood of Apenrade, this
creature frequented a lonely way called Langfort, making
a noise like that of a horse, well shod on all its four hoofs,
on a stone pavement^. He is said to be headless. In
Tondern an old, three-legged, grey (or white), blind horse
goes clattering through the streets every night. In every
house before which he stands, or into which he looks,
somebody must die. Old people have often witnessed
this, and thus been enabled to foretell a death. This horse
is called Hel, and is said to have no master, though some
assert that an old woman in black rides on him.
FLAMES IN THE WATER.
Fishermen relate that by a bridge in Rendsburg a whim-
pering is often heard in the water like that of a young
child; sometimes, too, small flames dart up, which are
always a sign that some one will perish. The Eyder is,
generally speaking, a bad river ; every year it requires a
sacrifice. The same may be said of the bay of Kiel and
the lake of Ploen.
OF THE UNDERGROUND FOLK.
When our Lord was on earth, he came one day to the
house of a woman who had five comely and five ugly chil-
1 See vol. ii. p. 1G9.
" The Danish Hcl-horse has only three legs. Sec vol. ii. p. 209.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 31
dren. On bis entering the house she concealed the five
ugly children in the cellar. The Lord then desired the
children to be brought before him, and when he saw the
five comely ones, he inquired of the woman where her
other children were. She answered : " I have no other
children/^ The Lord then blessed the five comely chil-
dren and cursed the ugly ones, saying : '' What is beneath
shall remain beneath, and what is above shall remain
above.^^ When the woman went again into the cellar, the
five children had disappeared. From them spring the
Underground Folk^
Under the earth, particularly in barrows of the dead,
there dwell little people called by the Holsteiners Dwarge
(Dwarfs) or Unnererske (Subterraneans).
They have been in the country from time immemorial.
At Heinkenborstel, in the bailiwick of Rendsburg, there
once dwelt such people. These asserted that they had
lived there before the invention of beer-brewing^.
It is quite certain that there are such underground
people. An old woman in Angeln had been told by her
grandfather, that once when ploughing in his field, in
which there was a giant's mount (Riesenberg), he saw a
little underground woman in a white sark come out of it,
but who, on seeing him, instantly fled.
In the district of Pinneberg, whenever there is a wed-
ding feast, it may be observed that the undergound people
sit among the guests at table and help to eat the dinner ;
for on the side of the table at which they sit, double the
quantity vanishes of what is consumed on the opposite
side ^.
1 See vol. ii. p. 115.
2 This is very characteristic. What an idea such people must entertain
of remote antiquity ! ' See vol. ii. p. 134.
32 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
They are said to wear many golden chains, and to have
many golden vessels, which they hang out on the bushes,
on which they also spread their linen to dry.
They can be very mischievous. From a man in Siider-
stapel they took a horse, and only returned it when it
became lame.
When a child falls and cries, it is told that it could not
help it; that the underground folk had caught it by the
leji-.
A man and his wife passing one night by a mount near
Krumesse in Lauenburg, saw a long procession of under-
ground folk, none of them higher than the leg of a chair.
One who rode foremost on a little horse, wore an enor-
mously high peaked cap. At this sight both cried out :
'^ All good spirits praise God the Lord ^/' when instantly
the foremost rider began to grow higher and higher, and
at last became a giant. The whole procession then turned
about and entered the mount.
THE ONNERBANKISSEN IN FOGEDSHOOG.
The Onnerbankissen (Subterraneans) in Amrum live
chiefly in the Fogedshoog by the Downs (Diinen). They
have been seen at night dancing round it in the moon-
light, and spreading their linen out on it by day. In the
winter they have been known to skate on the water of
Merum. A wanton fellow once resolved on destroying
their habitation. He dug far into the hill, and fancied he
had found the dwellings of the Onnerbankissen, when to
his astonishment and horror he saw his own dwelling
standing in a blaze ^. Throwing aside his spade and
mattock, he ran with all speed to the village, on reaching
' Alle guten Geister loben Gott den Herrn.
2 See vol. ii. pp. 119, 152, et passim.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 66
which he found the fire was a delusion. The fright^ how-
ever, taught him a lesson, and from that time no one has
disturbed the Onnerbankissen in Fogedshoog.
THE SUBTERRANEAN POTTERS.
On the Morsumkliff in Silt are found a great quantity
of all kinds of smith's and potter's ware, in the shape of
pipes, boxes, balls, pots, etc. On Silt they call them
Onnererskpottjiig (subterranean crockery ware), on Am-
rum, Traaldaasker (Troll-boxes), because they are made
by the Underground folk.
In Holstein it is believed that the corn found in the
urns from the old graves, thrives, when sown in the fields
and gardens, better than any other. Milk also becomes
richer and yields more butter when it has stood in such
pots. If the poultry drink out of them, they will not be-
come ill.
THE UNDERGROUND SMITH.
A man riding one morning past the Dreiberge, on the
road between Apenrade and Jordkirch, heard smiths there
at work, and cried out that he wished they would make
him a chafF-knife. In the evening, when he was return-
ing, he actually found lying on the hill a spick-span new
knife. He laid down as much money as was equivalent
to the usual cost of such a knife, and took it with him. It
proved to be of excellent temper and keenness ; but
wounds caused by it were incurable.
KETTLES BORROWED.
Close to Geltorf near Sleswig there is a hill called the
Hochberg, and hard by is another, the Brehochberg.
These were inhabited by underground people. In former
times the country folks were on quite friendly terms with
c5
34 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
the subterraneans. When there was to be a wedding in
the viHage, and kettles, pans, pots and the Uke were
wanted, they woukl go to the door and knock. '^ A\Tiat
do you want ? ^' the underground people would then ask.
" We want to borrow a kettle of you; for Hans andTrina
are to be married to-morrow.^' " How big must the
kettle be ? '^ And the peasants could then get a kettle
and pottery ware of just the size they required, which
they must fetch away on the following morning before
sunrise. In return for this accommodation, they needed
only to give the fragments remaining of the viands that
had been cooked in the vessels, which they left before the
hill.
THE DRAGEDUKKE.
As a man was once ploughing, he observed a broken
bread-peel and a broken oven-rake lying on the ground.
He took them home, mended them, and again laid them
in the same place. For this service he w^as rewarded with
a ' Dragedukke,^ which is a box, in which there is always
only a little money, but out of which a person may take
as much as he will.
THE GOSSIPS.
A man went to a mount and called to the dwarf that
dwelt in it, praying him to give him a son, and then he
would invite him to stand godfather. The dwarf pro-
mised to grant his request, if he would keep his word.
But when the man's wife had given birth to a son, he was
loth to invite the dwarf, yet was, nevertheless, obliged to
go to him for that purpose. The dwarf considered himself
highly honoured and promised to come ; but as the man
was going out, he called after him : " Vfh'A.i company are
you to have besides ? '' " Our Lord, Mary and St. Peter
are the other gossips," answered the man. '^ You must
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 35
excuse me then/' said the dwarf, "if I don't come." He
gave, however, a handsome christening present.
lu the Jutish version of the story (Molbech, Eventyr, p. 359), instead
of Christ, etc. Tordenveir (Thunder-storm) is named ; and in the Swedish,
Thor himself.
DRUM-MUSIC.
In the field of Mellerup, on the high road to Apenrade,
there is a barrow. As a man, who was to give a wedding
entertainment on the following day, and had been to the
town to buy all things necessary, was passing by, a little
man sprang from the mount and invited himself to the
wedding, promising to bring with him, for a present, a
lump of gold as large as a man's head. " Then you shall
come," said the man. The little man then asked what
music they were to have? "Drums and kettle-drums,"
answered the man. The dwarf thereupon begged leave
to recall his words, as he could not endure drum-music ^.
THE MILL-STONE SUSPENDED BY A SILKEN THREAD.
One hot summer's day a lad and a lass were at work in
a hay-field near the Stellerberg. They were betrothed to
each other, and would have been married, but were
wretchedly poor. While thus employed, they saw a large
toad stealing by them. The young man was on the point
of killing the ugly animal with his hay-fork, but the girl
seizing his arm prayed him to spare the poor creature's
life. The young man, however, enjoyed his sport for a
while, by appearing as if bent on killing the toad, until
it had disappeared. On their return home in the evening,
their employer told them they were invited to be gossips
at a christening on the following day, a voice to that efi'ect
having been heard, though no person was visible at the
1 See vol. ii. p, 152.
36 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
time. The pair knew not what to think of the matter,
but early on the following morning, when rising, the
young man found grits or sawdust strewed by his bed-
side ; at the entrance, too, and before the house he also
found grains of com, and, proceeding in their track, he
came at last to the Stellcrbcrg. There he heard a voice
from the hill, desiring him to come again at noon and
bring his betrothed with him ; for they should stand
gossips. The young man having given his lass due notice,
they made themselves ready, and at twelve o'clock went
together to the hill. They found it standing open, and
were received by a little man in a grey coat, who conducted
them in through a long passage. Within all was magni-
ficent and costly : the walls, flooring and roof glittered
with gold and precious stones ; a sumptuous table, with
gold and silver plate and the most delicious viands, stood
in the centre; but the whole apartment swarmed with
little grim-looking beings, all pressing round the bed of
the lying-in woman. WTien the young man and his be-
trothed entered, they brought to the former the child he
should hold at the font, and conducted him to the spot
where the sacred ceremony was to take place. During
the performance of the holy rite, happening to cast a look
upwards, he saw exactly over him a mill-stone suspended
from the roof by a silken thread. He endeavoured to move
from the spot, but could not stir a step. In agony he awaited
the end of the ceremony, and then drew back in haste. The
little man in grey then approached and thanked him.
With respect to the mill-stone, he told him that he might
now perfectly well imagine what his wife must have suf-
fered in mind, when on the preceding day he was about
to stab her with his fork ; for she was the toad. The pair
were then well entertained by the little folks, and after
they had eaten, the grey mannikin conducted them out of
the hill, but previously gave the gu-1 an apronful of
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 37
shavings. These she was inclined to throw away instantly,
but her sweetheart desired her to keep them, as they would
serve to light the fire. On their way home the burthen
became so heavy that she threw away the half of it, and
when they reached the house the remainder proved to be
all bright ducats. Thereupon the young man ran back
for the purpose of gathering up all that had been thrown
away, but it had disappeared. They, however, got enough
to enable them to build a farm-house and be married, and
lived happily together for many years K
PINGEL IS DEAD !
In Jagel, near Sleswig, there was once a host who ob-
served with vexation that his beer always ran out too
fast, without his knowing how. But one day, when on
his way from the city, where he had been to fetch a fresh
supply, he heard, on passing the Jagelberg, where there
is a giant-grave, a voice crying in a tone of lamentation :
'' Pingel is dead ! Pingel is dead ! " On his return home
he related what he had heard to his wife, and had scarcely
uttered the words when a little underground man came
rushing out of the cellar, and crying : —
Ach, is Pingel tot, is Pingel Ah, if Pingel 's dead, if Pingel 's
tot, dead.
So hab ich liier Bier genug Then have I fetched beer enough,
geholt,
and then ran ofi". A jug was afterwards found in the
cellar standing by the beer-cask, which the little man had
left behind; for it was for the sick Pingel that he had
stolen the beer.
One version of the story has the name of Pippe instead of Pingel ; ac-
1 The above version of the story is given in preference to one from
Swinemunde (Kuhn and Schwartz, p. 321), the latter containing some de-
tails more characteristic of the good old times than delicate and edifying.
See also vol u. p. 132.
38 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
cording to another the jug is of silver, and the dwarf runs away crying,
"Is King Pippe dead? Is King Pippe dead?" Another has : "As
Pilatje duad?"
THE BUILDER ZI.
A man had undertaken to build the church at Eckwadt
by a certain day, but was soon sensible that it was not in
his power to fulfil his contract. One night, while w^an-
dering about out of humour and pondering as to the
course he should pursue, a little hill-man accosted him,
and oiFered him his services. The builder at first hstened
contemptuously to the little man's magniloquent speech,
but at length it was settled between them, that the dwarf
should erect the church wdthin the given space, and that
the builder should by that time ascertain his name ; if he
failed in so doing, he should, body and soul, belong to the
little man. Rejoiced at heart the builder went home ; for he
thought : " If he himself will not tell me his name, I can,
at all events, extract it from his w^ork-people." But it fell
out quite contrary to his expectations ; for the little man
used neither w^orkmen nor labourers, but finished every-
thing himself with incredible rapidity ; so that the builder
clearly saw that all would be complete by the time agreed
on. Sadder than the first time, he was again wandering
about the fields, when, in passing by a mount, he heard a
crying within it, and on listening more attentively, distin-
guished the following words : —
Vys ! va3r still Baen mint. Hush ! be still, my child,
Maaeu kommer Faer Zi To-morrow comes thy father Zi
Mfc Christen Bloi te dae. With Christian blood for thee.
Now was the builder overjoyed, for he well knew^ to whom
the words alluded, and hastened home. It was just the
morn hi g of the day on which the church should be ready,
and the dwarf was busied on placing the last stone, — for
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 39
he worked only during the night — when the builder called
to him from a distance :
God Maaen, Zi ! God Maaen, Good morning, Zi ! Good morn-
Zi ! ing, Zi !
Ssetter du nu den sidste Are you now placing the last
Steen i ? stone ?
When the goblin heard himself addressed by name he was
furious_, and hurling away the stone that he was in the
act of placing, retired within his cave. The hole which
was thus left could never be filled up. In the night
everything was cast out. A mason, that once endeavoured
to build it up, was attacked by a wasting malady. At a
later period, a window was placed there, which the goblin
suffered to remain ^.
The church at Munkbrarup, in Angeln, was built in like manner. The
miserable builder hears a child crying under the earth, and the mother
saying to it : " Hush, thou little creature ! This evening thy father Sipp
will come, and give thee Christian blood to drink."
FATHER FINN.
In very old times the dwarfs had long wars with men,
and also with one another. When they were absent in the
wars, their wives at home sang by the cradle a particular
kind of song. North of Braderup, on the heath, there is
a giant-mount, from which was once heard the following :
Heia, hei, dit Jungen es min. Heigh ho, the child is mine.
Mearen kumt din Vaader Finn To-morrow comes thy father Finn
Me di Man sin Hand. With a man's head.
THE HOUSE WITH NINETY-NINE WINDOWS.
The house of a peasant in Eiderstedt was burnt to the
ground. The man sorely afflicted was walking about his
field, when he was accosted by a little man in a grey coat
and with a horse^s foot, who inquired the cause of his
1 See vol. h. pp. 39, 101, 248.
40 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
sadness. The man told him of his misfortune and that he
was without the means of rebuilding his house ; where-
upon the little man promised to build him one with a
hundred windows, and to have it ready in one night,
before the first cock-crowing, if the man would promise
him his soul. The peasant agreed to the condition, and
in the night the devil began to build. The house was
soon all but finished, the windows alone remaining to be
put in. A^Tiile the devil was busy about the last window,
the man began to crow and clap with his hands, at which
the devil laughed. But the cock in the stable had heard
the crowing, and answered it just as the devil was fitting
in the last pane. Finding himself thus outwitted, the
arch-fiend took his departure, though not till he had
m-ung the neck of the cock. No one has ever been able
to put in the pane, nor will any furniture remain in the
apartment where it is wanting ; all flies out. The room
requires no cleaning, being always as neat as broom could
make it.
EKKE NEKKEPENN.
The dwarfs are particularly fond of human females.
One was once in love with a young girl of Rantum, and
was even betrothed to her. After some time, however,
she changed her mind and would break ofi" the engage-
ment. The dwarf said to her : " I will teach you to keep
your word ; and only if you can tell me how I am called,
shall you be free.'' The girl now made inquiries in all
quarters after the name of the dwarf ; but no one could
inform her. Vexed and sad she wandered about and
sought the loneliest places, the nearer the thne drew nigh
when the dwarf should fetch her away. But as she one
day was passing by a mount, she heard within it the fol-
lowing lines sung : —
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 41
Delling skell ik bmw. To-day I shall brew,
Mearen skell ik baak, To-morrow I shall bake,
Aurmearn skell ik Brollep haa : After to-morrow I shall be married :
Ik jit Ekke Nekkepenn, I am called Ekke Nekkepenn,
Min Brid es Inge fan Raantem ; My bride is Inge of Rantum ;
En dit weet nemmen us ik alliin- And this no one know s but I
ing. alone.
When tlie dwarf came on the third day to fetch her and
said : '' What am I called ? '^ she answered : " You are
called Ekke Nekkepenn/^ He then disappeared^ and never
returned.
So, in the story of the Dwarf in the Schweckhauserberge(nearGottingen),
he is overheard repeating the hnes :
Hier sitz ich, Gold schnitz ich, Here I sit, gold I carve,
Ich heisse Holzriihrlein, Bonnefiihr- I am call'd Holzriihrlein, Bonne-
lein. fiihrlein.
Wenn das die Mutter wiisst, If the mother knew that,
So behielt' sie ihr Magdlein. She would retain her daughter '.
Of the same class with the foregoing are the stories of Rumpelstilzchen
(Grimm, K. and H. M. 55) and Fru Rumpentrumpen (Miillenhoff, p. 409).
THE CARVED IMAGE.
A peasant, who a hundred years since dwelt on a plot of
land at the foot of the Biigberg, near Felsted, on his way
to the mill, while his wife was lying in child-bed, heard,
when not far from the mill, a voice from the hill, saying :
" Carve Liese with her long nose." He thought : " That
can be no other than my wife ; but their project shall not
succeed." So as soon as he returned home, he placed
two women to watch by his wife, and went to bed, being
extremely drowsy, yet, nevertheless, was by anxiety pre-
vented from sleeping. At midnight the women, who
ought to have watched, had fallen asleep ; but the man
heard a noise, and saw how the underground people came
in at the window, lifted wife and child out of bed and laid
' From Harrys, Sagen, Marchen u. Legenden Niedersachsens, i. p. 16.
42 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
a wooden figure in their place. He instantly started up,
was just in time to catch his wife by the leg, and cried :
" Stop ! leave me mine and take your own ! '^ The sub-
terraneans were then obliged to retreat with their wooden
Liese, and the man retained his own.
A SUBTERRANEAN CHILD CAUGHT.
Some young peasants once resolved on catching one of
the subterraneans. These people never appear by day,
and but seldom by night ; to catch one was, therefore, no
easy task. They waited till St. John^s eve, and then
some of the boldest lay in wait, for the purpose of kid-
napping one. But these creatures are nimble and their
places of retreat small. They would all have escaped had
not the most active of the young men caught a young girl
by the apron. Full of joy he conveyed the little damsel
home with him to his wife, who placed her in her lap,
caressed her, gave her sugar and all sorts of nice things,
asked her her name, age and so on. But the little creature
neither cried nor laughed, nor ate nor drank. And thus
she continued from day to day ; neither by promises nor
threats could a sound be extracted from her lips. At length
there came an old woman who advised them to set about
everything wrong; for that the underground folk could
not endure, and she would immediately begin to speak.
Thereupon the young woman took the little one with her
into the kitchen and desired her to wash the turf nicely
for soup, while she cut up the meat to light the tire. The
little one did not move. The woman then took the turf
herself and washed it three times. The little one stared,
but did not move. But when the woman had cut up the
meat, and appeared as if about to make a fire with it, she
said : " Woman, you surely will not sin against God ? "
" No,^^ said the woman, " if thou wilt speak, I will do
right ; but else, wrong." From that time the little one
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 43
spoke ; but shortly after found means to escape. Some
time after, wlien the woman had given birth to a daughter,,
there lay one morning a changeling in the cradle.
CHANGELINGS.
Before the custom was introduced of having new-born
children immediately blessed by the midwife, the dwarfs
were in the constant practice of changing them for their
own, in doing which they showed much cunning. When
a child was born they would pinch the ear of a cow that
was near, and when the people, hearing the animaPs bel-
lowing, ran out to learn the cause of it, the dwarf would
slip in and change the child. It happened once that a
father saw how his infant was being dragged out of the
apartment. He grasped it just at the right moment and
drew it to him. He, moreover, kept possession of the
changeling, which was found in the bed by the side of the
lying-in woman, in spite of all the attempts of the subter-
raneans at least to recover their own child. By placing
on his head the hat of the subterranean infant, he could
see the dwarfs sitting round the table among the women,
and regaling themselves with coffee.
The dwarf child continued long in the house, but would
never speak. But some one having advised the foster-
parents to make a brewing in a hen's egg, and then pour
the beer into a goose's egg, the dwarf, after making all
sorts of manifestations of astonishment, at length cried
out:
Ik biin so oelt I am as old
As de Belimer Woelt, As the Behmer wold,
Unn heff in mjTi Laebn And have in my hfe
So'n Bro nich seen. Such a brewinj^ not seen.
The ' Wichtelmanner ' had stolen a child out of its
44 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
cradle, and left a changeling, with a huge head and staring
eyes, in its stead, which ate and drank voraciously. In
her distress the mother applied to a neighbour, who ad-
vised her to carry the changeling into the kitchen, set it
on the hearth, kindle a fire, and boil water in two egg-
shells : that would cause the changeling to laugh, and as
soon as he laughed it would be all over with him. The
woman did as her neighbour advised. As she was placing
the egg-shells on the fire, the clodpate exclaimed : " I now
am as old as the Westerwald, and have never till this
moment seen anything boiled in an egg-shell ! ^^ and then
began to laugh. While he was laughing there came in
a multitude of Wichtelmannikins, bringing with them the
woman^s own child, which they placed on the hearth, and
took the changeling away with them ^
A person once saw a female dwarf going across a field
with a stolen child. The sight was a singular one ; for
she could not hold the babe sufficiently high, on account
of its length, and therefore kept constantly calling to it : —
Baer op dyn Gewant, Hold up thy robe,
Dat du nidi haekst That thou be not hook'd
In den gakni Grant. In the bitter orant.
Grant or dorant (antirrhinum or marrubium) scares away Dwarfs
(Wichtel) and Nikkers. See Grimm, D. :M. p. 11G4.
In Eiderstedt a woman one night kindled a huge fire
in the middle of the barn, and placed upon it an exceed-
ingly diminutive pot. When a Kielkropf (changeling)
that she had was fetched, it clapped its hands in full
astonishment, and cried in a shrill voice : " I am now
1 Grimm, K. and H. Marchen, No. 39. Wichtel (Wichtelmann) is the
Prankish name for elf.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 45
fifty years old, and have never seen the Hke ! " The
woman would have thrown the kielkropf into the fire, but
it was snatched from her, and her own genuine child stood
there before her.
Similar stories are almost innumerable in Germany, but the foregoing,
together with the two following, will amply suffice to show the resemblance
between the German traditions of changelings and those of Scandinavia.
Before going to bed, a pair of open scissors must be
laid in the cradle of a new-born child, until it is baptized.
If it sleeps by its mother, at the last swathing a cross
must be made on its breast and forehead ; else the sub-
terraneans will change it.
There was once in Amrum a woman whose youngest
son was stolen by these beings ; but the child they left
in place of the stolen one so closely resembled it, that the
mother at first was not aware of the deception. But after-
wards their own child came back, and the parents were
wholly unable to determine which was theirs, until an
accident settled the difficulty. It was in the haiTcst, and
the woman going one day to the thrashing-floor, took up
a shovel and began casting aside the thrashed-out corn;
both boys being present. One of them fell a laughing,
and in answer to the woman^s question, why he laughed ?
said : " My father just came in and fetched half a ton of
rye, and in going out fell and broke his leg.^^ Thereupon
said the woman : '^ Thou art the one ; go therefore to the
place thou camest from.^' She then seized the boy and
flung him through the window of the thrashing-house,
and never again set eyes on him.
It is to be observed that a thrashing-floor should always
be swept with the sun, and never in the opposite direction ;
otherwise the subterraneans will steal the corn. The
woman, it evidently appeared, had taken this precaution.
46 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
THE KIELKROPP.
Not far from the town of Laucnburg there is a village
called Buken, in which, many hundred years ago, there
stood a chapel, where there was an image of the holy
mother, made of wood. This image was at that time held
in the highest veneration ; for if any persons were sick,
the people would carry them to the image and let them lie
before it for some time, when they would be cured.
Not far from the above-mentioned village there lived a
peasant, who, although he had been married for many
years, was childless. This afflicted him sorely : he stormed
and raved, maltreated and maledicted his wife the whole
livelong day, until she at length unexpectedly said to him :
" You may cease your ill-usage, you will soon have your
wish ; for I feel that I shall be a mother.'' At this intelli-
gence the peasant was overjoyed, and thenceforward treated
his wife more kindly. But that which gave him so much
delight was to be his greatest affliction. When the child
was born it was all right and proper as to its body and
limbs, but its head was larger than that of the largest
man. Such children the people at that time called KieU
kropps, and believed that the devil himself, or one of his
associates, was their father, and that they brought only
misfortune into a house. But be all that as it may, our
peasant had got his Kielkropp and must keep it. During
a space of three years the child's head grew larger and
larger, and looked like a great basket, while its other
members continued as diminutive as they had been from
the first, so that it could neither go nor stand ; nor could
it utter a word, but only moaned and screamed both by
day and night.
One evening as the woman was sitting with the Kiel-
kropp on her lap, and was lamenting over it, she said to
her husband : " A thought just strikes me which may
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 47
probably be of good to us. To-morrow is Sunday : put
then the child into a basket and take it to the holy mother
Mary of Boken, lay the basket before her^ and rock the
child in it for some time : that will^ perhaps_, be of ser-
vice.^^ The peasant willingly followed her advice, on the
following morning put his basket in order_, laid fresh hay
in it together with some bedding, placed his Kielkropp in
it, and went his way. When on the bridge that crosses a
water near Boken, he heard, just as he reached the middle,
a voice behind him, crying : '^ Where now, Kielkropp ? ^'
which the child in the panier answered by : ^^ I ^m going
to be rocked, that I may thrive ^^^ On hearing the child
begin to speak the man was greatly terrified, but instantly
recovering himself, he dashed the basket, Kielkropp and
all, into the water, saying : " If thou canst speak, thou
monster, then go to where thou hast learned.^^ At once a
loud cry was heard from under the bridge, as when many
people call out together, at which the mau was not a little
frightened, and made all possible haste home, without
once looking behind him, where he told his wife in what
manner he had got rid of the Kielkropp.
THE UNDERGROUND FOLK EMIGRATE.
The grandfather of a watchmaker still living in Hohn,
was when a boy one day tending cows in a neighbouring
field, and to protect himself from the rain, had thrown his
father's large coat over his shoulders. While standing
under a tree, he found himself on a sudden surrounded
by a multitude of imderground folk, holding each other's
hand, and thus forming a circle about him. They told
him they were about leaving the neighbourhood, and that
he should go with them. To his question : Why they
were going ? they answered, that they could not endure
the ringing of the bells in the village ^. But the young
^ See vol. ii. p. 151. 2 gee vol. ii. pp. 154, 155.
48 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
man not liking to be detained by them, broke through the
circle, leaving the coat behind, which they stript from
his shoulders. On the following day, however, he found
it in the same place hanging on a bush.
THE WOLTERKENS NISS-PUK — BUSEMANN — NISKE.
The Wolterkens appear to be identical with the Scan-
dinavian Nisser. In Meldorf the school-children have a
festival, when the girls decorate the school-room with
flowers. In the afternoon and evening they dance, and
then say : " We have Nesskuk," or " We celebrate Ness-
kuk.^^
The Nisken always frequent dark, concealed places in
the house or stable, and even in the pile of wood. They
disappear before every one that approaches them. At
night the people of the house must clear the hearth, and
place a kettle of pure water for the use of the little offi-
cious people. The Niss-Puk, moreover, always requires a
mess of sweet porridge with butter to be set for him in a
certain place.
Persons from the district of Stapelholm, who have seen
the Niss-Puk, describe him as not larger than an infant of
a year or a year and a half old. Others say that he is as
large as one of three years. He has a large head and
long arms, and small but bright, cunning eyes K He wears
red stockings and a long grey or green tick coat, on the
head a red, peaked cap. He delights in a pair of soft,
easy slippers, and when he gets such he may be heard at
night slipping about the floor in them.
These beings sometimes a])pear in a hideous form, to
the great terror of the inmates, at which they testify their
delight by a loud laugh.
1 The people of Silt say he has ver>' large eyes ; ^Yhence of inquisitive
persons it is said : " He stares like a Puk."
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 49
People frighten children with the Biisemann, who
dwells in the stable ; in Fohr they are kept in awe by the
blind Jug; in Ditmarschen by Pulterklaes. And who
knows not the formidable Roppert (Ruprecht) ? The
domestic goblin was formerly known under the name of
Chimken.
In some respects the Niss-Puk resembles the Galgenmannlein or Alraun
of South Germany, who is enclosed in a bottle, can be sold by his owner,
but always for a price less than the sum he paid for him. The soul of
the last owner belongs to the Galgenmannlein. See the tale of ' Das
Galgenmannlein ' in Binder's Schwabische Volkssagen.
THE SUBTERRANEANS LICK UP MILK.
About seventy years ago little underground beings were
seen in many farms in the Wilstermarsch^ who did little
more than accompany the maids and men home in the
morning after they had been milking, and sedulously lick
up the drops of milk that had been spilt. But when in
measuring out nothing was spilt, they would overturn all
the vessels and run away. These people were about a foot
and a half high, wore black clothes and a peaked, red cap.
Wherever they came, people thought they brought a special
blessing on the house.
In the Frisic islands the housewives have frequently
observed, when brewing, that the little people usually
came in the shape of toads, and licked from off the floor
the new beer that had been spilt. No one does them any
harm, and the beer so spilt must be left for them, as well
as the crumbs of bread that fall from the table.
THE KLABAUTERMANN.
The Klabautermann sits under the ship^s capstan, and
is a little fellow with yellow breeches, horseman^s boots, a
large, fiery-red head, green teeth, and a steeple-crowned
hat. If a ship is doomed to perish, the Klabautermann
50 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
may be heard running up and down the shrouds in a state
of disquietude^ and making a noise among the rigging
and in the hold ; so that the crew leave the ship, and the
sooner the better ^
When such a goblin is on board of a ship, and on
friendly terms with the crew, the vessel will not sink and
every voyage will be prosperous ; if he abandons it, things
will go ill. Every thing that is broken during the day in
the ship he sets to rights in the night, and is therefore
often called the Kliitermann (joiner)^. He also prepares
many things for the sailors, and even performs them. If
he is in a bad humour, he makes an awful noise, throws
about the fire-wood, spars, and other things, knocks on
the ship^s sides, destroys many things, hinders those at
work, and unseen gives the sailors violent cuffs on the
head. From all this uproar it is supposed that he derives
his name^.
OF THE RANZAUS.
Of the very old and ducal-Sleswig family of Ranzau it
is recorded, that to an ancestress of their house there came
one night, as she lay in bed by her husband's side, a little
man bearing a lantern, who having waked her, prayed her
to follow him. She did so (every door and gate opening
spontaneously as they passed) and arrived at length in a
hollow mount, in which there lay a little woman in the
pains of labour. When the said noble dame Von Ranzau,
at the earnest entreaty of the little woman, had laid her
hand upon her head, she was instantly delivered. The
lady, who had been standing in great fear, now hastened
1 Kuhn and Schwartz, p. 423.
2 From kliitern, to make or mend small delicate works, j)artmdarly of
wood.
3 From klappen, to make a noise, clahauder {clahauderie) ?
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 51
back, and was attended home by her said diminutive com-
panion. At parting she received from the Httle man, in
recompense for her service, a large piece of gold, of which,
at his suggestion, she caused to be made fifty counters, a
herring, and two spindles for her daughter. At the same
time he gave her also this notice : That her posterity must
carefully preserve those articles, if, from being affluent,
they would not in time become needy persons ; for that as
long as none of them were lost, they would increase in
honour and repute, I think that the person who related
to me this remarkable anecdote, at the same time informed
me, that either the herring or one of the golden counters
had disappeared from among these treasures.
According to an oral tradition in Thiele (i. 134), the little man con-
ducts the countess into the cellar of the castle of Breitenl)urg. She re-
ceives from him a golden spinning-wheel for her daughter and a golden
sabre for her son, together with the prediction, that as long as those
things were preserved in the family, it should flourish in wealth and con-
sideration. Both presents are, it is said, still preserved in the mansion.
Accorchng to another account, the gifts consisted in a table-cloth, a
spool, and gold, of which a chain was made, and some coined into money.
Dame Sophia Ranzau of Seeholm related this of her grandfather Henry
Ranzau's wife.
The trathtion of a Frau von Hahn, who was fetched by a water-nix,
agrees (as I have heard it related) vnih the Ranzau tradition. The coun-
tess is conducted into a cellar, receives a present of shavings, which turn
to gold, a large beaker made from which is still shown at Neuhaus, Other
things made from the same are lost.
II.
The newly married countess, who was of a Danish family,
was sleeping by her husband's side, when a noise was
heard, the bed-curtains were drawn aside, and she saw a
little woman of extraordinary beauty, not more than a
cubit high, standing before her holding a light. ^^ Fear
not," she said, " I will do you no harm, but bring you
good luck, if you afford the assistance which I require.
Rise up and follow me ; but take heed to eat nothing that
d2
52 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
may be offered you, nor accept any other gift than what
I shall present to you, and which you may safely receive/'
The countess accompanied her, and the way led under
the earth. They came into an apartment that was re-
splendent with gold and precious stones, and full of little
men and women. Before long their king appeared, and
conducted the countess to a bed, in which lay the queen
in the pains of child-birth, beseeching her to give her
assistance. The countess did her best, and the queen was
safely delivered of a son. At this there was great rejoicing
among the guests ; the countess was led to a table covered
with the choicest viands, and pressed to partake of them ;
but she touched nothing, neither would she accept any of
the precious stones, which lay in golden dishes. At length
she was led forth by her first conductress, and brought
back to her bed.
The little woman then said : " You have rendered a
great service to our realm, for which you shall be re-
warded. Here are three wooden staves; lay them under
your pillow, and to-morrow morning they will be changed
to gold. From the first of these let there be made a
herring; from the second, counters; from the third, a
spindle ; and reveal this whole affair to no one in the
world, except your husband. You will have three chil-
dren, who will form the three branches of a house. The
one that gets the herring will be very successful in war,
both himself and his posterity ; the one that gets the
counters will, together with his children, fill high offices
of state ; the one that gets the spindle will be blessed with
a numerous offspring.^'
After these words the little hill-woman departed, and
the countess fell asleep. When she woke she related to
her husband the events of the night. The count laughed
at her, regarding the whole as a dream ; but when she
put her hand under the pillow, there lay three gold bars.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 53
Both were astonished, and employed them precisely in
the manner prescribed.
The prediction was accurately fulfilled : those branches
of the house which carefully preserved the treasures, still
exist, while others, who were less careful, are extinct. Of
the branch that got the coined money it is related, that a
king of Denmark once desired to have one of the pieces ;
but at the moment the king received it, the individual
who gave it to him was seized with a violent stomach-
ache.
In 'L'Amant oisif,' Bruxelles, 1711, 405-411, the foregoing tradition
is told under the title of * La Comtesse de Falinsperk.'
III.
A benevolent countess (Ranzau) at Breitenburg, who
was frequently herself the bearer of her household medi-
cines to the sick, was one stormy evening called to the
house of an old woman, who dwelt at the other extremity
of the village. She was in the act of going, but was pre-
vented by her husband. While sitting alone in the twi-
light, she heard a noise, and before her stood the house-
goblin with herbs and potions, who bade her take them
and carry them to the sick, and rather to obey the voice
of her own heart than the prohibition of her husband.
The countess followed the goblin's bidding, and through
her care and the medicaments the sick woman speedily re-
covered. On the following evening, as the countess was
again sitting alone in the twilight, she saw the goblin
standing by the hearth and stirring the fire. When the
fire had blazed up, he threw into it an apronful of shavings,
and said to the countess : " When the fire is burnt out,
look among the ashes, and what you find there preserve
carefully. As long as those things continue in your
family, so long will fortune favour the counts of Ranzau. '^
When the fire was out the countess made a search, and
54 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
found a golden spindle, a golden beaker, and something
besides. The last-mentioned fell to a younger branch,
who lost it, and is now without property; but the spindle
is still at Breitenbui'g, and the beaker at Kastorf.
At Breitenljurg fifty golden pennings are carefully preserved in a silver
box, on which are the arms of John Ranzau and Dame Anna Walstorf,lus
wife. The inscription on these pennings is engraved and fiUed ni with
l)lack.
JOSIAS RANZAU'S MAGIC SWORD.
As Anna Walstorf was one night in pious prayer
making mention of her absent husband, she was humbly
besought by a subterranean mount-man to give aid to
his wife who was in the pains of child-birth. She fol-
lowed the little man through many cellars and vaults of
her castle of Breitenburg that were quite unknown to her,
until she came to a bright crystal rock. On a touch from
her companion it flew open, and in a spacious hall she
saw an innumerable multitude of similarly little men col-
lected round an elevated spot. She advanced and found
the queen in the pangs of labour and at the point of death.
Dame Anna, who was well skilled in the preparation of me-
dicines, mixed a potion for the patient, through the virtue
of which she was soon delivered of a son. Their joy was
beyond expression, and the grateful husband presented then-
benefactress with some gold, which appeared like shavings,
enjoining her to preserve it as the greatest treasure; that
the fortunes of her house depended on it. At a subse-
quent period she caused to be made from it three things,
viz. some small pieces of money, a distaff and a herring,
which were afterwards divided among the several branches
of the family.
The herring at a later period fell to the share ot Josias
llanzau, who, full of militaiy ardour, caused it to be made
into a sword-hilt. He entered the French service, in
which he shared in many battles, and at length attained
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 55
to the rank of field-marshal. He was one of the most
desperate duellists, and even when he had arrived at an
advanced age, and was possessed of the highest dignity,
he would go disguised among the soldiers and pick quar-
rels with them. He once fought with an esteemed friend,
because he had written his name incorrectly. But so long
as he carried his magic sword, he was never, in any battle,
either struck by a bullet or v>^ounded by a stroke. No
one had for a long time placed any confidence in him, it
being evident to every one that there was some sorcery
in the matter, so that when Caspar von Bockwold, a Hol-
stein nobleman, had divulged the story of the goblin, in
a company at Strasburg, many persons denied him the
praise of valour, and ascribed all his feats to the herring.
At this, maddened with rage, Josias, in the presence of
all, cast his sword into the Rhine. Still victory did not
forsake him, though he had to pay dear for it ; so that at
last, of all those members of which a man has two, he had
lost one, and had besides sixty severe wounds on his body.
WE ARE REMOVING!
Cases have been known of houses in which whole fami-
lies and swarms of Puks or Nisser have taken their abode,
and have thereby been rendered uninhabitable. In Husum
there once lived two families of these beings, one at a
baker's, the other at a brewer's. At night they turned
everything topsy-turvy, made the most horrible noises,
ran up and down the stairs ; sometimes they were in the
cellar, sometimes in the chambers ; from the baker they
stole his flour, from the brewer his beer. They were so
little, that when pursued, like spiders and worms, they
would creep into the smallest crevices, where they would
make an incessant outcry. The people at length could
endure them no longer, and resolved to remove. Their
moveables had all been carried out, and the maid-servants
56 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
from both houses came the last, carrying the brooms on
their shoulders. They met together, when Ann inquired
of Susan where they were going ? But before she could
answer, many little voices cried from one of the brooms :
" We are removing ! '' The girls at first were frightened,
but soon recovered their presence of mind. There was a
pond close at hand ; into this both plunged their brooms,
and left them in the water. They then betook themselves
to their new habitations, and were no more annoyed by
these noxious beings. But it was soon remarked that all
the fish in the pond grew sick, and by degrees died ; and
women, who late in the evening fetched water from the
pond, declared by all that was holy that they had re-
peatedly heard small voices in the water crying out : '' We
have removed ! We have gone away ! '^
In Neumiinster a man had offended a Niss, because he
had put no butter in his porridge. In revenge the Niss
played such pranks and caused so much annoyance that
the people were obhged to remove. When the last person
with the broom was crossing the threshold, the Niss, who
was sitting in the broom, called out : " I too am here/^
and removed with them.
At a place also in Angeln, some people left their house,
on account of a Niss. When the last cartload was just
ready to go, he was sitting behind, and laughing said :
''We move to-day."
The reader will have already seen in the Danish Popnlar Traditions
stories nearly identical with the three foregoing, which are here selected
from many others as striking examples of the close resemblance existing
between the superstitions of North Germany and those of Scandinavia.
THE SNAKE-KING.
A girl working in the field once found a bunch of four-
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 57
teen or fifteen snakes, all hissing together ; one of which
had a golden crown. The girl untied her white apron
and laid it on the ground near the group, when the largest
of the snakes, the one that had the crown, came and laid
his crown on the apron. It was of pure gold and set with
many precious stones of a green colour. The girl in-
stantly sprang forwards and snatched it up ; seeing which
the snake-king cried so horribly that the girl was deafened
by the noise. She afterwards sold the crown for a con-
siderable sum'.
In the ruins of the old Duborg, near Flensborg, there
lives a bluish snake that wears on its head a small crown
of the finest gold. It appears but once a day, at the hour
of noon, and then for a moment only. Whoever can
catch it, or get its crown, is fortunate. The king would
instantly give twenty thousand dollars current for the
crown ; for whoever wears it is immortal.
THUNDER.
In Silt, if any one finds a thunderstone, he carefully
preserves it ; because thunder will never cause any injury
in a house where there is such a stone ^.
THE STARS.
Old maids and bachelors, according to the North Fri-
sians, are curiously employed after death. As soon as the
sun is sunk below the horizon, the old maids must cut stars
out of it, which the old bachelors, during the night, must
blow up in the east, going all the time up or down a
ladder.
THE MAN IN THE MOON.
At the time when wishing was of avail, a man, one
Christmas eve, stole cabbages from his neighbour's garden.
1 See vol. ii. p. 217. " See vol. i. p. 54, note.
D 5
58 NORTH GERMAN TRADITlOXSv
When just in the act of walking off with his load, he was
perceived by the people^ who conjured (wished) him up in
the moon. There he stands in the full moon to be seen
by everybody, bearing his load of cabbages to all eternity.
Every Christmas eve he is said to turn round once. Others
say that he stole willow boughs, which he must bear for
ever.
In Silt the story goes that he was a sheep-stealer, that
enticed sheep to him with a bundle of cabbages, until, as
an everlasting w^arning to others, he was placed in the
moon, where he constantly holds in his hand a bundle of
cabbages.
The people of Rantum say that he is a giant, who at
the time of the flow stands in a stooping posture, because
he is then taking up water, which he pours out on the
earth, and thereby causes the flow ; but at the time of
the ebb he stands erect and rests from his labour, when
the water can subside again.
HANS DiJMKT.
Of Charleses Wain, or, as it is more usually called, the
Great Bear, it is said, that it is the wagon, in which Elias,
our Lord, and other saints journeyed to heaven. But the
very small star above the centre one in the pole is the
wagoner, Hans Diimkt. He was in the service of our
Lord, and had a very comfortable place ; but by degrees
he did his w^ork more and more negligently. Our Lord
often warned and chided him ; but Hans cared very little
for that. He was particularly careless in cutting chaff;
none that he cut could be used, being cut much too long.
At this our Lord was at last so angry that he set him on
the pole of the celestial wain, where he may be seen every
evening, as a warning to all serving-men that cut chaff
too long.
According to one tradition, Hans Dlimken (or Diimkt) was a carrier,
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 59
who conveyed our Lord, who in remuneration promised him the kingdom
of heaven ; but the man said he would rather drive to all eternity, from
sunset to sunrise. Grimm, D. M. p. 688.
THE WANDERING JEW.
For many years the Wandering Jew has been a wan-
derer from city to city. He is never hungry nor thirsty,
and never grows old. He takes rest always out of doors,
and may not sleep under a roof. It is said that he was
some years ago in Liineburg, where he slept on a stone
just without the city.
A few years since he was seen in Sundewith, not far
from Beuschau. He carried a basket, out of which there
grew moss. He rests only on Christmas eve, when he finds
a plough in the field ; for on that alone may he sit.
THE WODE.
Many persons have, in the twelve nights of Christmas
and particularly on Christmas eve, seen the Wode on his
progress. He rides a large white horse, a hmitsmau on
foot and four-and-twenty fierce dogs follow him. In every
place through which he passes, the hedges fall v/ith a
crash, and a road opens itself before him ; but tov.ards
morning they are all erect again. Some assert that his
horse has only three legs. He always rides on certain
ways, past the doors of the houses, and with such speed
that his dogs are not always able to keep pace with him :
they may be heard panting and howling, and sometimes
one has been left on the road. One of them was once
found in a house at Wulfsdorf, another at Fuhlenhagen,
lying on the hearth, incessantly howling and panting, until
the next Christmas eve, when the Wode again took it with
him. At Christmas eve no linen ought to be left out, as
the dogs tear it to tatters. There should also be no
baking, as it would cause a Wild-hunt. Everything in
60 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
the house must be quiet. If the door is left open^ the
Wode and his dogs will pass through and consume all
that is in the house, but particularly the dough, if baking
be going forwards ^
The Wode once entered the house of a poor peasant,
and his dogs devoured everything. The poor man made
great lamentation, and asked the Wode what compensa-
tion he was to have for the damage he had sustained. The
Wode told him that he should be paid. Shortly after he
came dragging along a dead dog, which he told the peasant
to throw into his chimney; when he had done so, the skin
burst, and there fell from it many bright gold pieces.
The Wode has a certain road, through which he rides
every night during the twelve days of Christmas. At his
approach the subterraneans must flee before him, as he is
bent on extirpating them from the earth. An old peasant
one night late saw the subterraneans running along : they
did not appear terrified and cried out : " He can 't catch
us to-day, he must let us go, he has not washed himself
this morning.^^ On proceeding a little further, he met
the Wode, who asked him what they had been saying.
'' They said," answered the old man, '' that you have not
washed yourself this morning, and must therefore let
them go." When the Wode heard this he stopped his
horse, let it stale, dismounted and washed himself there-
with ; then remounted and continued his chase after the
subterraneans. After a little while the peasant saw him
returning, having with him many bound together by their
yellow hair ^, besides a number hanging down on each side
^ Woden here appears as sadly fallen from his former high estate. This
and the following story might not inajjtly, in a twofold sense, be also
titled * The Descent of Odin.'
- The subterranean folk have not yellow hair. Those alluded to above
must be the moss-folk and tvood-tvives, who resemble children of three
years, and are friendly to mankind. See Grimm, D. M. p. 881 note.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 61
of his horse. Thus did he pursue the subterraneans until
they all have disappeared : he therefore hunts no longer on
the earth, but only in the air above. The Wode is known
throughout Lauenburg, and people everywhere close their
doors against him at Christmas time.
A Meklenburg tradition places the connection between
Odin and the Wild Hunt beyond a doubt.
When, as it often happens, the dogs bark on the heaths,
in the woods and cross-ways, the countryman knows it to
be PFod that is leading them, and pities the wanderer that
has not reached his home.
A drunken peasant passing one night throu^-h a forest
on his way from the town, heard the Wild Hunt, and the
noise of the dogs and the cry of the huntsmen in the air.
'' In the middle of the road ! In the middle of the road' ! ''
cried a voice, but to w^hich he gave no heed. On a sudden
a tall man on a white horse precipitated himself from the
clouds before him. " Art thou strong ? '' said he. " Let
us try which can pull the strongest. Here take hold of
this chain.'' The countryman took hold of the heavy
chain, and the wild hunter soared aloft. The countryman
wound the chain round an oak, and the huntsman tu^-o-ed
in vain. "Thou hast surely wound the chain round the
oak,'' said Wod, descending from the clouds. " No "
said the countryman, who had hastily loosed it, " see I
am holding it in my hands." " Then thou shalt be mine
up in the clouds," cried the huntsman, again mountin"-.
The countryman now quickly fastened the chain again
1 The reason of this warning appears from the same superstition as
current in the isle of Usedom. When the Wild Hunt passes by, the cry
is frequently heard of
Ho ho ! bliw innen Middelwech, Hallo hallo ! keep in the middle way,
Denn biten di de Hunne nich. Then will the dogs not bite thee.
Kuhn und Schwartz, p. 427.
62 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
round the oak, and Wod was as unsuccessful as before.
"But hast thou not fastened the chain round the oak?"
said Wod, again descending. " No," said the country-
man, "see I am holding it in my hands." '' If thou wert
heavier than lead, thou must up with me in the clouds,
notwithstanding." Saying this he darted up like light-
ning, but the countryman had recourse to his old process.
The dogs barked, the carriages rolled, the horses neighed
up aloft, the oak cracked at its roots and seemed to turn ;
the countryman felt far from easy, but the tree stood its
ground. "Thou hast pulled capitally," said the hunts-
man j " many men have I made mine : thou art the first
that has withstood me. I will reward thee." Now loud
was the uproar of the hunt, " hallo, holla ! wol, wol ! " ^
The countryman sneaked away towards home, when from
an unseen height, a deer fell dying before him, and there
stood Wod, who, springing from his white horse, cut up
the game. '' The blood shalt thou have and a haunch
besides," said Wod. " Sir," said the countryman, "thy
servant has neither pail nor pitcher." " Take thy boot off,"
cried Wod. He did so. " Now march home with blood
and flesh to wife and brat." Fear at first caused his bur-
then to seem light, but by degrees it grew hea\'ier and
heavier, so that he could scarcely walk under it. Bent
almost double, and dripping with sweat, he at length
reached his hut, and behold ! the boot was full of gold,
and the haunch turned out to be a leather bag filled with
silver ^
THE MAN WITHOUT A SHADOW.
Many preachers and sacristans in former times visited
(and still visit) the Black School, and are there instructed
by the devil in the black art, by means of which they can
exorcise spectres, spirits of the dead, and even the devil
himself. The devil gives the instruction, though not
1 Lisch, Meklenl). Jahrb., quoted by Grimm, D. M. pp. 876, 877.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 63
gratis. The condition is, that whosoever, at the termina-
tion of the lecture, when the course is ended, of all the
pupils that frequent the school, goes last out by the door,
shall belong to him. By many, who proved more cunning
than their master, he has been outwitted, among others,
by the sacristan of Brons, in the west part of the bailiwick
of Hadersleben. He was the last of all that left the
school, but he knew how to help himself, when the devil
would lay hold on him. The school-door was to the south,
and it happened that the lecture was finished in bright
sunshine, exactly at noon ; so the sacristan veiy justly said,
that not he, but his shadow was the last to go out ; that,
if he liked, the devil was welcome to keep. The devil could
object nothing to this reasoning, and let the man go, but
detained his shadow. From that time the sacristan has
been shadowless ; and many who have seen and known
him can testify, that even in the brightest sunshine not
the faintest appearance of a shadow accompanies him.
It hardly need he mentioned that Chamisso's * Peter Schlemihl ' is
founded on a similar tradition. According to a Spanish tradition, there
was a cave at Salamanca in which the devil always maintained seven
pupils, under the condition that when they were fully instructed, the
last must pay the reckoning. One day when he was dismissing his
scholars, and had ordered the last to remain, the scholar pointed to his
shadow, sajdng: "That is the last." The devil was obliged to be con-
tent with the shadow, and the pupil continued for the rest of his life
shadowless.
Jamieson, speaking of the Scottish superstition, says : " Losing one's
shadow arrives to such as are studjdng the art of necromancy. When a
class of students have made a certain progress in their mystic studies, they
are obhged to run tlirough a subterraneous hall, where the devil literally
catches the hindmost in the race, unless he crosses the hall so speedily,
that the arch-enemy can only apprehend his shadow. In the latter case
the person of the sage never after throws any shade, and those who
have thus lost their shadow always prove the 1)est magicians." See Grimm,
D. M. p. 976. Most readers will recollect Walter Scott's lines, in the
Lay of the Last Minstrel, when speaking of the lady of Buccleuch's father,
who had studied in " Padua, far beyond the sea" : —
64 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
For when in studious mood he paced
St. Andrew's cloister'd hall,
Ills form no darkening shadow traced
Upon the sunny wall.
DEVIL AGAINST DEVIL.
A cross painted on the principal door of the house is a
safeguard against witches ; it is also good to have in the
house a wafer that has been purloined at the communion.
If cattle is bewitched and no butter can be produced, the
cows, churns and pails must in the evening be silently-
smoked. The witch will then usually come and ask ad-
mission, but no one may be let in, how^ever hard they
may knock at the door.
At a house in Wilster a child was sick. A cunning
woman said there was some sorcery in the case, and that
the child must be smoked at twelve o^clock at night,
every door being closed. The person that had bewitched
it w^ould then come, when blood must be draw^n from him
or her on a cloth, and the cloth bui-nt. At the hour spe-
cified every door w^as carefully closed ; before the window s,
and reaching almost to the top, sheets w^ere hung, all
precisely as the cunning w oman had directed. But the
house had wdndow- shutters after the old fashion, made to
turn up, so that under eveiy window they hung like a sort
of flap, on which, when not turned up, a person might
contrive to stand and look through the window\ And so
it was here ; for wMe they were smoking the child, and
before it had struck twelve, the witch suddenly peeped
over the sheet into the room. On seeing her, the man
rushed out, struck her in the face, and received the blood
on a cloth, which being burnt, the child recovered.
In the neighbourhood of Biisum there dwelt a wealthy
peasant, who had an only daughter whom he tenderly
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 65
loved. But his old motlier-in-law was a witch. People
knew that she had on several occasions transformed herself
to a cat or other animal ; in companies^ too, she has caused
the whole room to be filled with ravens, so that the guests
were forced to withdraw. She did harm to both man and
beast. If any one passed a night in her house, and his
slippers stood the wrong way, she would, when she thought
that every one was asleep, enter the chamber and turn the
slippers ^ This is a certain proof that she was a witch;
for so they constantly do ; otherwise they would have no
power over the sleeper. But witches must always have
one person in their family on whom to exercise their malice.
The old mother-in-law grudged the peasant his good for-
tune, and at length bewitched his daughter most wickedly.
She presented the young maiden with a beautiful new dress,
which she, suspecting no guile, put on on the following
Sunday, intending to appear in it at church. But it was
hardly on her back before her hair stood on end, her eyes
rolled wildly, and for internal burning she could not con-
tain herself. She dashed herself against the windows and
doors like a savage cat, raved and raged at everybody, but
without knowing any one, and it was not without much
difficulty that she could be undressed and placed in bed.
The raving fit then passed, but was succeeded by the
greatest debility and exhaustion. And thus she lay for a
length of time, and was daily dwindling away. No phy-
sician could afford her relief, for they all confessed that
they were ignorant of her malady. Her parents were in-
consolable. Some sagacious persons, to whom they had
recourse, told them at last that an old woman had be-
witched their daughter, but that they were powerless
against her. Only in Hamburg there lived a man who
could probably relieve her ; if he failed, all attempts would
1 See in vol. ii. Sw. Pop. Belief, p. ill. No. 50, and Dan. Pop. Belief,
p. 272. No. 34.
G6 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
be vain. Her father^ resolved on leaving nothing untried,
instantly set out for Hamburg, and spoke with the man,
who, after he had heard a full state of the case, opened a
large book, written in characters which nobody but him-
self understood. At the expiration of a quarter of an hour,
the man told the peasant that his daughter was certainly
under the influence of witchcraft, but that he would give
him a pot of medicine, that would most probably afford
her relief, if only he could carry it home whole ; as the
evil spirit would use every endeavour to break it. On the
following day the peasant received the pot from the doctor,
and soon arrived without impediment at Biisum. But
now all must go wrong. The ship^s boy was ordered to
carry the basket containing the pot on shore and to the
house of the peasant ; but hardly had he set foot on dry
land, when the sand rose like a water-spout, threw the
youngster down, and dashed the basket out of his hand,
so that the pot was broken in a thousand fragments. Thus
was the journey in vain. After a very short delay, the
man was again on his way to the wonderful doctor, when,
having related his mishap, he w^as informed by the sage
that the task was now much more difficult, but that he must
come again in two days. The doctor had in the interim
made everything ready, and packed up the pot, and now
enjoined the ])easant to keep the strictest watch over it ;
adding that there was still one other method of saving his
daughter, but one that he should very reluctantly have
recourse to, even if her father would consent. This time
the peasant returned home by land, having the basket with
the pot under the seat of his vehicle, and arrived within
sight of his house in safety, and was even on his o^^^l
ground, when, on the level earth, the vehicle was suddenly
upset, and although the })easant himself sustained no in-
juiy, the pot was broken in pieces. The man, who had
his daughter's recovery much at heart, allowed himself no
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 67
rest, althougli his wife, and more especially his mother-in-
law, would retain him, telling him he ought to take some
repose after his great toil ; but all was to no purpose ; he
mounted his horse, and in twelve hours was again in Ham-
burg. The doctor now informed him that one course
alone remained, which was to boil the old witch in oil ;
but before commencing this process, he would show him
the person who had bewitched his daughter. He then
went into an adjacent apartment, muttered, with all kinds
of hocus-pocus, some unintelligible spells, and in a quarter
of an hour came back with a large mirror under his arm.
This he placed on the table, and desired the peasant to
look into it. The man did so, and instantly recognised
in it his old mother-in-law. He was deeply grieved at the
sight, yet on calhng to mind what his daughter had suf-
fered, and that if her malady continued, it must soon
terminate her existence, he formed his resolution, and said
to the doctor that he might do what he thought proper,
let whatever might come afterwards. The doctor appointed
him to come again at noon on the following day. At the
time fixed the peasant was in attendance, when the doctor
led him into a detached apartment, and then withdrew.
At the expiration of an hour he called him into the kitchen,
where he had a large kettle on the fire, into which he
poured oil and other things, under all sorts of spells and
ceremonies, and then shut it close with a heavy lid. What
was in the kettle now began to work and boil, the noise
in it grew louder and louder, and the peasant thought he
could distinguish the moans of a human being. Whatever
it was, it seemed resolved to remain no longer, but to get
air, and strove with all its might to raise the lid. " Now
is the time,'^ said the doctor, springing forwards and hold-
ing down the lid with all his strength ; and shortly after
called to the peasant for his assistance ; and only with the
utmost difficulty could they succeed in preventing it from
68 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
running over. When the boilmg ceased, all gradually
grew more quiet, and was at length quite still. " Now/'
said the doctor, "your daughter is saved, and the old
woman is no more.'' The peasant felt ill at ease, and
although pleased at the intelligence, the doctor appeared
to him as something unearthly. He instantly paid him
his due, hastened back to his inn, and on the following
day, as early as possible, mounted his horse and rode home.
On entering his dwelling, his daughter, quite healthy and
cheerful, came to meet him, and related to him that her
old grandmother had died a horrible death on the pre-
vious day. At noon she was attacked by an internal
burning, which from one minute to another became more
intense. In bed she could not remain, had torn open the
doors and windows, thrown off her clothes, rolled and
writhed about the floor, crying and moaning the whole
time so that she might be heard at a considerable distance.
Not till the day was far advanced did she become gra-
dually more calm, and at length uttered not a sound.
Until then no one could remain with her, but now on
entering, they found on the spot where she had lain a
small heap of ashes and some burnt bones. From that
hour the daughter recovered her health, and lived several
years after.
WITCHES TAKE AWAY BUTTER.
When the dew falls on May morning it will be a good
butter year. On such a morning a witch, before sunrise,
went into her neighbours' fields, took up the dew with
large linen cloths, then wrung them out, and so collected
the dew in a vessel. Of this, every time she mshcd to
make butter, she took a spoonful, and poured it into the
churn, saying at the same time : " From every house a
spoonfuP." By this process she took every time so much
J Uet elk hues en Lapel vull.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 69
butter from those neighbours to whom the fields belonged.
On one occasion her man had to churn, but, not rightly
understanding the matter, said when taking the dew:
^^From every house a bushelfuP.'^ He then began to
churn, when there came so much butter, that it ran over
the whole house, and the people were at a loss what to do
with it.
The appellation of Daustriker (Thaustreicher), dew-striker or scraper,
for a witch, is no douht derived from the above superstition. See more on
the subject in Grimm, D.M. p. 1026.
CALVES BEWITCHED.
A farmer could never rear a calf; as often as he at-
tempted it, the animal fell sick, and seemed unable either
to live or to die, so that he was obhged to kill it. In his
trouble he had recourse to a cunning man, who advised
him, when the like happened again, to take the sick
animal into his yard and shoot at it. " You will not be
able to kill it,^' added he, " but continue to load and fire ;
somebody will then soon come, and the matter will be
settled." After a time another calf fell ill, when he did
as the man had recommended. After he had fired several
shots without killing the calf, a female neighbour came in
running and crying out, " Stop your shooting ; you will
shoot all my oxen dead in the meadow." Every shot had
killed an ox. The man ceased from shooting, and from
that day could rear his calves.
FORESEEING.
In Owschlag, near Sleswig, there were formerly some
remarkable men. Among them there was one who could
foresee and foretell funerals, weddings, etc. He must,
when anything passed by his house in the night, rise from
his bed and look at it ; and if he lay too long and the
^ Uet elk hues en Schapel vuU.
70 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
thing was passed, he must run after it until he got sight
of it. The cause of this was, that he had once trodden on
the tail of a howHng dog and looked between his ears.
At first this wonderful faculty afforded him much amuse-
ment, and to many persons he foretold a variety of inci-
dents most accurately ; though as he grew old it became
burthensome to him. But he could not get rid of it or
sleep in quiet, until he had worn his shirt turned for a
whole year.
THE COMMUNION-CUP AT VIOL.
As an inhabitant of Viol was one night riding from
riensborg, he passed by a grave-mound where the under-
ground folk were celebrating a great festival, and just in
the act of sending round a large golden beaker, in which
was a beverage in appearance resembhng buttermilk. The
peasant drew up his horse and knavishly entreated them
to let him have a draught from the beaker. In the most
cordial manner they handed it to him ; but he, having got
possession of it, cast the liquor behind him and galloped
away. He soon heard a subterranean cry : '' Dreibein
(Three-legs) come out \" and on looking back, saw a mon^
ster close behind him; but his horse was swifter than
Dreibein. He then heard many voices at once crying :
" Zweibein (Two-legs) come out ! '' and saw another mon-
ster much more frightful and much swifter than Dreibein ;
yet was unable to overtake him. Then he heard them
with one voice crying : " Einbein (One-leg) come out ! "
On turning again, he saw a third monster far far more
hideous and larger than the preceding one, which came
after him with gigantic springs, head over heels ; and would
have caught him, had not the door of his house luckily
stood open ; for scarcely had he slammed it to, when there
stood Einbein banging against it ; but was, nevertheless,
forced to remain outside. On the following morning the
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 71
peasant found that the drink had singed off half of his
horse^s tail. The beaker he presented to the church, in
fulfilment of a vow he made in his fright on seeing Ein-
bein^
WHITE WOMEN.
Beneath the village of Sahrensdorf, in Femern, there
dwelt in former times White-women, who gladly stole
unbaptized children. As a protection against them, a
light was burnt immediately after the birth of a child,
which must constantly burn in the chamber until the child
was christened.
1 See vol, ii, pp, 140, 144, aqq.
NORTH GERMAN POPULAR TRADITIONS.
11.
MEKLENBURG, THE MARK, SAXONY,
THURINGIA, BRUNSWICK, HANOVER,
OLDENBURG, WESTPHALIA^
FRU GODE.
In the twelve days of Christmas Fru Gode makes her
tour, and has been met by many a one. As a man was
once busy with his horses in the stable, Fru Gode came,
and handing him a stake, requested him to make a point
to it. At first he refused, but, on her promising him a
good reward, did what she required. When it was finished,
she told him to gather up the chips that had fallen, which
he did, and found them all pure gold.
Formerly much was related of Fru Gode, how she rode
through the air with her dogs. When she had one day
passed over a farm-yard, the farmer happening to go out,
^ From Kuhn and Schwartz, Norddeutsche Sagen, Marchen u. Gebrjiuche.
Leipsig, 1848, unless otherwise expressed.
E
74 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
found a little dog lying before his door. He took it in,
and together with his wife fed and cherished it. But in
the following year, and exactly at the same time, the dog
suddenly disappeared, and in his bed there lay a large
lump of gold. That must have been intended by Fru Gode
for the farmer, who until then was a poor man, but now
at once became rich.
The name of Fru Gode, though applied in the middle age to a female
being, Grimm (D. M. p. 231) considers a corruption from Fro Woden
(Dominus Woden). In her annual tour and transformation of the shavings
into gold, she resembles Berhta. Fru Gauden was, as we are told (D. M.
p. 877), a lady of consideration and wealth, who was so enthusiastically
fond of the chase that she uttered the sinful words : " If I might always
hunt, I would never wish to enter heaven." She had twenty -four daughters,
all as mad as herself. One day, when mother and daughters were dashing
in full gallop through field and forest, and in their vn\d joy uttered the
profane words : " The chase is better than heaven!" behold! before the
eyes of the mother the daughters' clothes are turned to hair, their arms
to legs, and four-and-twenty hounds bark round the hunting car of the
mother ; four of which take the duty of the horses, the rest accompany
the carriage, and away goes the wild group up into the clouds, there, be-
tween heaven and earth, to hunt, as they had wished, without cessation,
from day to day, from year to year. Long have they been weary of their
wild amusement, and deplore the sinful wish ; but they must bear the
consequences of their crime, until the hour comes for their release. Come
it one day will, but when? no one can say. In the twelve days of
Christmas' (for at other times we mortals are not aware of her presence),
Fru Gauden directs her course to the habitations of men ; on Christmas
night, or the last night of the year, she likes to traverse the streets of the
village, and where she finds a house-door open, she sends in a little dog.
In the morning a little dog comes wagging its tail to the inhabitant ; it does
no harm beyond disturbing the nocturnal quiet by its whining. It will
be neither appeased nor driven away. If any one kills it, it wUl by day
be changed into a stone, which, if thrown away, will return to the house
and again become a dog. This dog will whine and moan during the whole
year, bring disease and death to man and beast, and peril of fire on the
house ; and not till the return of the twelve days will the house regain its
quiet. ' Hence every one takes especial care, both morning and evening,
to keep the house-door well-closed. Some people were once foohsh
enough to kill the dog, but from that day they never prospered, and at
length their house was burnt to the ground. More fortunate are they
who render a service to Fru Gauden, who, in the darkness of the night,
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 75
sometimes misses her road, and finds herself in a crossway. Now a cross-
way is a stumbling-block to the good lady, and whenever she finds herself
in one, she contrives to break some part of her chariot which she is unable
to repair. On such an occasion she once came, clad like a stately dame,
to the bedside of a serving-man, waked hira and implored his aid. The
man complied with her desire, followed her to the crossway, and found
that one of the wheels of her vehicle had flown off. Having set her con-
veyance to rights, she desired him, by way of remuneration, to put into
his pocket what appeared like ordure. The iftan was indignant at such a
proposal, but allowed himself to be somewhat pacified on her assuring
him that worthless as the present appeared, it would not prove so. On
the strength of this assurance he was induced to take some with him,
when lo ! to his no small astonishment, by daybreak it began to glitter
like burnished gold, and was in fact the purest gold !
THE KLABAUTERSMANNEKEN OR PUKSE.
These beings take up their abode in houses^ but par-
ticularly in mills and ships, where they live on the milk
that is placed for them, in return for which they render
all kinds of services : they milk the cows, curry the horses,
work in the kitchen, wash the ship, help to weigh the
anchor, and do a variety of other jobs. There is nothing
to be more feared than the Klabautersmanneken leaving
the ship. On which account great care must be taken
not to leave a coat for them, or a pair of shoes, for then
they would instantly leave the vessel. They wear a short
red jacket, not in the best condition, and not always quite
covering their nakedness, so that the heart sometimes melts
at the sight of them. In houses they hke to live in the
timber-work, on which account, when pulling down a
house, the beams ought not to be thrown away, but em-
ployed, as far as possible, in building the new house.
THE HORSE-MARE.
In Usedom there once lived a man, who had a horse
that had always been vigorous and in good condition, but
at once became meagre and lost strength; and notwith-
standing that it was well fed, never could recover. This
E 2
76 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
appeared very singular to the owner, and be thought the
matter over and over, but could not satisfy himself. At
length be sent for a cunning man, who, on seeing the
horse, said that he would soon find a remedy. He re-
mained there that night, and at midnight went to the
stable, stopt a knot-bole in the door, then fetched the
owner of the horse, and they both entered the stable. To
bis great astonishment be there saw a w^oman of bis ac-
quaintance sitting on the horse, and, although she strove
with all her might, unable to descend from it. It was the
Horse-mare that w^as so caught. She besought them most
earnestly to set her free, which they did, but only after
she bad promised never to repeat her visits ^
A WOMAN-WERWOLF.
At Caseburg, on the isle of Usedom, a man and his wife
w^ere busy in the field making bay, when after some time
the w^oman said to the man that she bad no more peace,
she could no longer stay, and went away. But she had
previously desired her husband to promise, that if perchance
a wdld beast should come, be w^ould throw^ bis bat at it
and then run away, that it might not hurt him. She bad
been gone only a little while, when a w^olf came swimming
across the Swine, and ran directly towards the haymakers.
The man threw his hat at it, w^hich the animal instantly
tore to rags. But in the mean time a boy bad run up
with a pitchfork, and stabbed the wolf from behind, which
in the same moment became changed ; and all were not a
little astonished, when they saw that it was the man's
wife, whom the boy had killed.
THE HECKETHALER2.
In Swinemiinde there lived many years ago a man who
1 See vol. ii. p. 170. - Fromhecken, to produce, hatch.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 7/
liad a ' Hecketlialer/ which he obtained in the following
manner. On New Yearns night he went to the church
door, having with him in a bag an entirely black he-cat^
without even a single white hair. Taking the cat on his
back, he walked backwards from the church door round the
church, and his round being completed, knocked thrice.
A man then came forth and inquired whether he would
sell the cat?— ^^ Yes " — "For how much?"— '^ For a
dollar " — " That ^s too much ; I ■'11 give eight groschen "
— " He is not to be had for that." Thereupon he went a
second time in the same manner round the church, knocked
again, the same man stept out, he repeated his question,
and the man now offered sixteen groschen — " He is not
to be had for that." — And now he went a third time
backwards round the church, knocked again, the man
again came forth ] he demanded, and now received his
dollar. Then throwing the bag with the cat in it on the
ground, he ran as fast as he could back to his house.
From that time let him pay out the dollar as often as he
might, the moment the last groschen was spent, he had
the entire dollar again in his pocket.
According to another account from Cottbus, we are informed that, if
any one desires to have a Heckethaler, he must in the longest night put
a black he-cat into a bag, which must be bound fast with ninety-nine
knots. He must then go thrice round the church, and every time he
comes to the door, call to the sacristan through the keyhole. At the
third time the sacristan (and he is the devil) comes, when the man asks
him whether he will buy a hare ? and for the cat in the bag receives a
dollar. He must then hasten to get into a house ; for if the devil looses
the knots and overtakes the seller, he is a lost man. The dollar so ob-
tained is the Heckethaler, and is to be got rid of only by placing it in salt.
From this superstition is evidently derived the proverb to buy a cat in a
bag. The act of walking thrice round the church, in religious and super-
stitious ceremonies, is of remote antiquity.
MILK ABSTRACTED.
In Caseburg there was once a peasant whose cows would
78 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
yield no milk, however well he might feed them, so that
he at last saw that they must be bewitched, and sent for
a cunning man to aid him. The man came, went into the
cowhouse, looked at the animals, and saw at once how
matters stood — they were bewitched. He then took a
walk about the village, in order to discover the witch, and
in a neighbour's cowhouse, saw his wife standing close by
the wall, which joined the aforesaid peasant's outhouses.
Into the wall she had driven a broomstick, on which a
pail was hung, and was milking the broomstick, which
yielded milk like a natural udder. Thus was the witch
discovered. He threatened to have her punished; and
from that day the peasant's cows yielded milk.
Notwithstanding the burlesque character of the above, a superstition
very near akin to it was known in Scotland, where witches were sup-
posed to have it in their power to supply themselves with milk, by pulUng
at a hair-rope, as dairy-maids tug the teats of cattle, and using the fol-
lowing conjuration : —
" Mear's milk, and deer's milk.
And every beast that bears milk,
Atween St. Johnston and Dundee,
Come a' to me, come a' to me^"
WITCHES DISCOVERED.
At Neppermin, in Usedom, there lived two peasants,
one of whom had been sick for three years and unable to
rise from his bed ; for on placing his foot on the ground,
he suffered the most excruciating pain. The servants of
the two peasants had strong suspicions that the wives of
their masters were witches. To ascertain the point, they
hid themselves on Walburgis night in the stove of the
woman w^hose husband was sick. They had not been long
there when six witches came, one as a swine, another as a
cat, another as a hare with three legs, and the others
under various forms ; among whom were the two peasants'
1 Chambers's Pop. Rh. p. 34.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 79
wives. Wlien they were all assembled^ one said : " I am
so hungry to-day, and know not how to satisfy my cra-
ving." Whereupon another answered : " Our neighbour
opposite Ues in childbed, let us fetch her infant and kill
it ; " and at the instant one hurried away, and soon re-
turned with the babe. But now a knife was wanting.
The sick man^s wife then said : " For these three years
past I have had a knife inserted in my husband^s thigh,
which I draw out every Walburgis night : I '11 fetch that.
If he but knew it, he could rise up.'' She then went into
an adjoining room, and immediately returned with a knife
not much less than a foot long. This they were just in
the act of applying to the breast of the infant, when one
of the men in the stove exclaimed " Lord Jesus ! " at
which the witches were scattered in all directions ; but the
man hastened to his master and related to him all that had
passed. At first he was incredulous, but on rising he
found he could walk without pain. On entering the room,
they there found both the child and the knife, which the
witches had left behind. The man then went and de-
nounced his own wife, who confessed who the other witches
were, and they were all condemned to the flames.
HiJNENSTEINE (GIANT-STONES).
All over the Ukermark are these gigantic stones to be
found j but the neighbourhood of Prenzlau more particu-
larly abounds in them ; for it is there that the first church
(the Marienkirche) was built in the country, for w^hich
reason the Hiinen ^ hurled immense blocks of stone in that
direction. Such a block lies in the vicinity of Sternhagen
and Buchholz, on the heath, in which there is the impres-
sion of the five fingers of a giant, who would cast it from
1 In these traditions a Hiine is identical with a Riese, Dan. Jaette, all
signifying giant. The tradition of giants casting stones at churches is
universal over all the North. See vol. ii. p. 158.
80 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
the Rhine to the above-named church. Many other similar
stones lie about the fields of Wichmannsdorf and Berk-
holz, all of which are fragments of a huge block that had
been hurled at Prenzlau by a giant, but burst in shivers
on its passage.
A HORSE COMES OUT OF THE WATER.
In the neighbourhood of Jagow, as a peasant was
])loughing late one Saturday, when the sun Avas already
gone down, there came suddenly, out of a lake that lay
close by his field, a horse with traces complete, which
harnessed himself to the other horses, and then trotted
ofi" at such a rapid pace that one furrow after another was
cut in the twinkling of an eye. The peasant followed
breathless, the sweat running from his hair and face, and
his horses were white with foam. In this way the horse
continued for a full half hour, without a moment's rest,
until he vanished by the same way that he came. The
peasant then hastened home, and never again ploughed
on a Saturday.
The above-mentioned being is evidently a German Nok. See vol. ii.
pp. 20-22.
OLD FRICK.
Old Frick, or Fuik, is the deviPs grandmother, and has
frequently been heard making a great noise in the night.
Many also have seen, and at once recognised her by the
large dogs, which she always has with her ; for when they
barked, pure fire has issued from their mouths and
nostrils.
In former times, when the jNIill-laws^ were in force, the
people of Naugarten were obliged to send their corn to be
ground to the mill at Boitzenburg. A peasant had once
1 The thirlage of the Scottish law, by whicli every tenant was forced to
take his grain to be ground at the lord's mill.
NORTH GERMAN TRxVDITIONS.
81
driven his corn thither, but having staid till it was rather
late, did not reach home with his wagon-load of flour
before dark. On his way he heard on a sudden a tre-
mendous uproar, and immediately after. Old Frick with
her dogs came thundering along. In his fright, the only
way to save himself that occurred to him was to pour out
the contents of his flour-sacks to the dogs, which in-
stantly set to work, and in a twinkling most ravenously
devoured every atom of flour. Had he not so done, it
would have gone hard with him. Frightened and sad he
hastened home, with his empty sacks, and said to his wife :
" Mother, it has gone ill with me ; I have met with Old
Frick, and as quickly as I could have thrown out all the
flour to her dogs, in order to get clear of them.^^ " As
the sacks are empty,^' said the wife, " they may be thrown
aside.^^ The man did accordingly, but what was his sur-
prise, when, on coming to the same place on the following
morning, there stood his sacks well-filled, just as when,
on the preceding evening, he brought them from Boitzen-
burg !
THE WITCHES' RIDE.
There was once a peasant that had an old wife, who had
a great partiality for her man Hans. One night, when the
peasant was gone to bed, but the wife was alone in the
kitchen, in came Hans, as usual, and saw how she was
anointing first her grey he-cat and then her own feet with
some ointment or salve. " What art thou doing there ? ^'
said he (for in his master^s absence he always thoued her).
" I am going to the Blocksberg,^^ answered she, " and if
thou canst keep from babbling, thou mayest go with me, and
be my servant.^' Thereupon she desired him to fetch the
black cock, and when both animals had been smeared with
the ointment J there in one instant stood before them u
E 5
83 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
grey horse and a black stallion. The woman then seating
herself on the grey, said :
" Up unci davon. Up and away,
nirgends an ! " nowhere run foul !
and away it went with her through the chimney. Hans
now mounted his steed, and as she had told him he must
do exactly as she did, he would also repeat her words, but
had not well remembered them, and said :
" Up und davon. Up and away,
alle weg an ! '* all the way run foul !
then away went he also through the chimney, but during
the journey bounced now against a tree, then against a
rock, till he was bruised and excoriated from head to foot ;
but at length arrived at the Blocksberg. On their arrival
the woman dismounted, and ordered Hans to hold the
horses and remain with the other servants, of whom there
was a considerable number. Hans did as he had been
ordered, and after some time, was with all the others ad-
mitted to the feast, where he ate and drank to his heart's
content ; but when their orgies were about to commence,
he and the rest were obliged to quit the place. At last,
when all was over, Hans and his mistress again mounted
their horses and returned home.
Some time after, Hans quarreled with his mistress and
went to live with another master. Whtn the time came
round again for visiting the Blocksberg, he thought he
would play the old woman a trick, and said to his com-
panions : " If you would like to see how my old dame
rides to the Blocksberg with the old alehouse-keeper,
come with me.'' And saying this he led them to a cross-
way, where a couple of harrows were standing, which they
placed aslant against each other, and sat down under
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 83
them^ They had not been there long when a tramp of
horses approached them. '^ See, see ! '^ cried Hans, " that ^s
the old woman on the grey, and the one behmd on the
black horse is the old alehouse-man.''^ All now saw her,
as they sat under the harrows, and at the same time re-
marked that she rode at first directly to the crossway, but
then took a direction along one of the ways, as she could
not pass across them. On the following day Hans was in
the field, and on a sudden remarked that the old woman
was on the point of making an attack upon him. In vain
did he look around for a place of refuge, but there was no
escape for him. Just in time, however, a way occurred to
him : he took a cord, which he had at hand, wound it
round his body, drew it between his legs and up over his
back and shoulders to his front, and then tied both ends
in a strong cross-knot ; so that, both before and behind,
he was cross-bound, and the old woman could do him no
harm. When she drew near, and saw how he was
secured, she gave him fair words : That he might again
enter her service, and all should be forgotten. Hans,
however, manifested no desire to return ; and then she
begged him at least to tell his companions that she did
not ride on the grey horse the preceding night, and if
he promised to do so, he should have twenty dollars. To
this Hans consented, and received his money, and at night,
while sitting with his companions over a jug of beer, he
said : " Hear ! I told you yesterday that the old woman
rode on a grey horse ; but that ^s not true ; she rode only
on her grey cat.'^
KOBOLDS, OR GOBLINS.
The Krampenbude, a fisher-house, about a German mile
from Kopenick, on the Wendish Spree, is also called the
1 See p. 22.
84 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
Kobold's house, because a Kobold formerly played his
pranks there. His chief amusement was, when the fisher-
men at night were lying asleep, to lay them even. For
this purpose, he would first draw them up till their heads
all lay in a straight line ; but then their legs would be
out of the line, and he had to go to their feet, and pull
them till the tips of their toes were all in a row. This
game he would continue till broad daylight ^
In the neighbourhood of Kopenick a man had a
Kobold that had become troublesome to him. To get rid
of him, he had resolved on changing his abode and leaving
his unwelcome guest behind. On the evening previous
to his removal, in passing along by the gutter, he saw the
Kobold sitting by it, and asked him what he was doing ?
" Why,'^ answered the Kobold, " I am washing out my
rags, as we move to-morrow. ^^ The man then seeing that
he must still keep the Kobold, took him along with him.
Of the Kobolds it is related that they take their^abode
in the unfrequented parts of a building, or in wood-houses.
Their method of communicating to the master of the
house their wish to live in his family, and to serve him, is
somewhat remarkable. At night they bring shavings into
the house, and put dung of every kind of cattle into the
vessels filled with milk. If, on seeing all this, the master
of the house neither sweeps away the shavings nor casts
the dung out of the milk-vessels, but, together with his
family, partakes of the foul milk, then will the Kobolds
appear to him and abide with him. The grateful, modest,
well-fed Kobolds bring to those that feed and harbour
' See vol. ii. p. 164.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 85
them, corn, which they steal from the barns of then-
neighbours ^
JACK 0' LANTERNS WITH LONG LEGS.
As a peasant of Hermsdorf was returning home one
evening late, he saw a Jack o' lantern, and being of a
courageous nature went up to it. The Jack o^ lantern,
without much deliberation, took to his heels with the
peasant close after him, who observed that he had most
wonderfully long legs, and from top to toe consisted of
glowing fire; but in the same instant he vanished, and
the man could hardly find his path again in the thick
darkness.
JACK 0' LANTERNS DRIVEN AWAY BY CURSING.
In the neighbourhood of Storkow, as a clergyman with
his servant was driving home one night late, they saw, on
reaching a certain spot, a Jack o^ lantern coming towards
them, which merrily danced along before the horses.
Sometimes there were several of them, and at last there
came so many, that the horses became quite shy and fear-
ful, and would not stir from the spot. The clergyman
also felt uneasy, and began to pray aloud ; but the more
he prayed the more Jack o^ lanterns came, so that the
servant at length said : " Just leave that off ; so they will
never go ; but I ^11 send them packing ; ^^ at the same time
roaring out : '' Will ye be off in the deviFs name ! " In a
moment not a Jack o^ lantern was to be seen.
V
A JACK 0' LANTERN CAUGHT.
A cowherd near Rathenow, who had been all day on
the heath with his cattle, on his return home at dark was
not aware that one of his cows was missing. On dis-
^ Dobeneck, vol. i. pp. 125 sqq.
86 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
covering his loss, he immediately went in search of her ;
but after seeking her here and there and all over the forest,
without finding her, he sat down, overcome with fatigue,
on the stump of an old tree, and prepared to smoke his
pipe. While he was thus sitting there came all at once a
countless multitude of Jack o^ lanterns dancing wildly
around him, so that he would have been not a little terri-
fied, had he not been a courageous fellow. He remained,
however, sitting quietly and filling his pipe, but just as he
was about to light it, they began to fly about his head, so
that he expected every moment they would singe his hair.
He therefore seized his stick and began to strike about
him ; but the more he struck the more Jack o' lanterns
came. At last he made a grasp at one of them, and found
that he held in his hand a bone. This seemed to have
scared the others, as they instantly disappeared ; but the
man put the bone into his pocket, lighted his pipe, and
returned home. On the following morning he again drove
out his herd, and also found the missing cow ; but on his
return in the evening, when it was already dark, he saw a
couple of lights before his window, and supposing that a
neighbour with a lantern was come to consult him about
a sick cow, he opened the window and saw the entire
village street full of Jack o' lanterns, which came in large
bodies dancing and whirling about, and crying : " If you
don^t give us our comrade, we will burn your house ! ''
He now first recollected the bone, and said : " Don^t make
such a stupid hubbub ; surely the bone cannot be your
comrade.^' But they cried yet more loudly : " If you
don't give us our comrade, we will burn your house ! "
Thinking then the matter serious, he took the bone, laid it
on the palm of his hand, and held it out of the window,
when it instantly became a bright, flickering Jack o' lantern,
and danced away, all the others surrounding it as in joy,
and then merrily hopping and springing out of the village.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIOiNS. 87
FRAU HARKE.
In former times Frau Harke had her abode on one of
the highest of the Camern hills, which after her bears the
name of the Frau Harkenberg, from whence she often
descended, through the Frau Harkengrund (also named
after her), to the lake of Schonfeld, for the purpose of
fetching water. She was of immense stature and strength,
and once took a ploughman, who was ploughing in a field
near the mountain, together with his oxen and plough, up
in her apron, to play with them. But when she showed
them to her father, he ordered her to carry them all back
to the place where she found them : " Because,^^ said he,
" if the little ones below yonder do not plough, the big
ones up here cannot bake."
Once when carrying an apronful of earth, her apron-
string gave way, and the earth fell on the ground, and
that is now the Collenberg, the highest mountain in the
neighbourhood, on which lay the huge block of granite,
which she hurled at the church of Havelberg.
When the old oaks disappeared from the mountains, Frau Harke mi-
grated to Thuringia. She is known also in Lower Saxony.
THE NICKELMANN, OR NICK.
Children should not go too near the water, because
under its surface the black Nickelmann sits, who snaps at
them. Above he is formed like a man, but below like a
fish, and has very sharp teeth. His usual food is fishes,
though he not unfrequently drags down human beings.
In Thale they were formerly obliged annually to throw a
black cock into the Bode ; for if they omitted to do so,
some one would certainly die within the year. The little
black figures, in wooden boxes, which spring up when the
box is opened, are in Ilseburg called Nickelmannlein
(Nickelmannikins) .
88 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
As the midwife in AYesterhausen was sitting one eve-
ning in her room, some one tapped at her window, and
requested her to come out. She went out, and there
stood a Nick, who desired her to follow him. They both
proceeded to the rivulet, where the Nick taking a rod,
beat on the water, which immediately separated into two
parts, and they went down dry-footed. Here she assisted
the Nickel- wife in her hour of difficulty, who in gratitude
told her, that if the Nick should ask her what remunera-
tion she washed, she must not ask for money, but for
some of the sweepings. She then went and took the
infant to the bath, and heard the Nickelmann's childi-en,
five of w^hom were running about, ask their father : " Shall
we break her neck^ ?" but their father forbade them.
When the midwife had finished, the Nick asked her what
remuneration she required, when she requested, as the
w4fe had enjoined her, a little of the sweepings behind the
door. " God has counselled thee to speak thus,^' said the
Nickelmann, and gave her what she asked. He then con-
ducted her home. When in her own house, she looked
at the sweepings, and they had all become pure gold^.
THE PRINCESS ILSE.
On the Hsenstein there lived in ancient times a knight,
who had a daughter of surpassing beauty named Hse.
She loved the knight that dwelt in the castle on the
Westerberg opposite to them ; but at that time the two
mountains were not sejDarated from each other by the
present intervening valley. The father of tlie princess
Ilse would not consent to her union w4th the knight, and
as they saw each other daily, in spite of his prohibition,
lie, who was a mighty giant, struck the rock through the
middle, and thereby caused the valley. In her despair
Hse cast herself down into the raging fiood beneath, and
1 See Grimm, D. M. p. 463. - See vol. ii. pp. 128, 130.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 89
gave it its name, and from that time she often appears in
a long white robe, with a broad black hat, and is usually
now known by the simple appellation of ' the Jungfer/
Formerly she was to be seen daily descending to a stone
by the second Use-bridge, in which there was a deep hol-
low containing water, even in the driest seasons, in which
she bathed. But the stone is no longer there, and she
appears no more in the valley. Her last appearance is
said to have been three hundred years ago, on Ascension
day, in commemoration of which a festival was long held
there on that day, to which people from all the neighbour-
hood flocked together, when a great fair was also held.
There were also two bands of music, one on the Ilsenstein,
the other on the Westerberg, in which the enchanted
prince is confined ; but the festival has fallen more and
more into desuetude, and there is now only a little music
on that day in the hostel ycleped *^The Trouts^ (Zu den
Forellen). But the general belief is, that the princess
will mount to heaven on an Ascension day, and it is only
a few years since that the peasants awaited the event from
hour to hour. In Ilseburg Ascension day is held so sacred,
that it is thought whoever sews or mends on it will be
struck by lightning.
As a shepherd was once driving his flock over the Ilsen-
stein, and had stopt to rest for a while by a spring, leaning
on his staff", the mountain suddenly opened — for in his
staff", though without his knowledge, there was a Spring-
wurzel, — and the princess stood before him. She com-
manded him to follow her, and when he was within, said
to him that he might take as much gold as he desired.
The shepherd crammed his pockets full, and when he had
taken enough, was about to depart, when the princess
called to him : "Do not forget the best !" But he, think-
90 NORTH GEllMAN TRADITIONS.
ing she meant that he had not taken gold enough, filled
his hat, while she alluded to his stafi" with the Spring-
wurzel, which on entering he had placed against the wall.
So that when he was going out, the rock suddenly closing,
severed him in two.
A horse-boy lost a couple of his horses, and while he
was out seeking them, and was sitting on the Ilsenstein
crying, because he could not find them, the mountain
suddenly opened, and before him stood the princess, who
asked him why he was crying. He told her of his loss,
and she ordered him to follow her. They then entered
the mountain, and came into a vast stable, containing
many horses, among others his own two. He was over-
joyed at seeing them, and was leading them out, but the
princess told him that he could not have them again,
though she would give him for them gold enough to buy
a hundred others. Saying this she filled his wallet, at the
same time enjoining him not to open it before he had
passed over the third Hse-bridge. But being an inquisi-
tive fellow, he was impatient to see how much she had
given him, and on reaching the second bridge, could no
longer withstand the temptation, opened the knapsack
and found in it nothing but horsedung. ^^AVhat,"
thought he, "canst thou do with that ?" at the same time
throwing it into the Use ; but hearing it go kling kling
as it fell, he quickly looked into his knapsack, to see if
any remained behind, and found some genuine pistoles.
Goethe, in Faust, makes one of the witches, on her way to the Blocks-
berg, pass over the Ilsenstein :
1st W. Welchen Weg kommst du her?
2nd W. Uebern Ilsenstein !
Da gnckt' ich dor Eule ins Nest hinein.
Die macht' ein Paar Augen !
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 91
Which way coraest thou hither ?
Over the Ilsenstein !
There I peep'd into the owl's nest.
She made a pair of eyes !
" Tlie Springwurzel is a plant, that may be procured in the following
manner : The nest of a green or black woodpecker, when it has young,
must be stopt with a wooden plug. The bird on seeing it flies away,
knowing w^here to find a wonderful root, which men would seek for in
vain. This the bird bears in its bill, and holds it against the plug, which,
as if driven by the most violent blow, instantly springs out. If the party
has concealed himself, and at the bird's approach makes a great noise, it
will be frightened and let the root fall. Some spread a white or red cloth
under the nest, on which the bird will cast the root, after having made
use of it." This superstition was known to Pliny. — See H. N. x. 18 ^
HANS VON HACKELNBERG.
Hans von Hackelnberg was chief huntsman in Bruns-
wickj and loved the chase above all other worldly things.
He rode a grey horse, the wildest animal that was any-
where to be found. From the Harz he went to the Hakel_,
and while there dreamt that he would come to his death
through a wild boar. On the following day there was to
be a great hunt, when he related his dream to his compa-
nions, adding scornfully, that it would, indeed, be some-
thing strange, if he were to perish through a wild boar.
He then proceeded to the hunt and found a boar exactly
resembling the one he had seen in his dream. He eagerly
pursued it, and at length slew it, and shortly after re-
turned home. While the boar was being cut up, Hack-
elnberg held the head aloft to contemplate that which
was to occasion his death; but the head slipped out of
his hand, and one of the tusks wounded him so severely
in the leg that it eventually cost him his life. From that
time he hunts, with the cry of " hallo," and followed by
his associates, up and down the Hakel.
1 Grimm, D. U. p. 925.
92 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
According to another version of the story, the hunt was in the Ilarz,
and Hackehiberg, yiehhng to the persuasions of his friends, stayed ai
home. On receiving the wound, Hackelnberg is made to say : " If I am
to die from such a scratch, I would rather hunt for ever." But the wound
became worse and worse, and he hastened back to Brunswick, but came
only as far as the inn called the KUpperkrug, near Wiilperode, where he
laid himself down and died, llis steel cap and the iron headpiece of his
mule are still to be seen there. In the garden of the inn, which was
formerly a churchyard, Ues his gravestone, having on it the representation
of a knight on a mule, with a short flowing mantle and high ruff, holding
a riding-whip in his hand ; near him two little dogs appear in the act of
running. On the edge of the long-quadrangular stone is an inscription
only partially legible, viz. Domini 1581 den 13 Martii . From that
time Hackelnberg hunts, followed by a number of little dogs, up and down
the Harz. Some say he is seen with two large bloodhounds galloping
away ; and it is further related that his love of the chase was so great,
that he prayed that his portion of bliss might consist in being permitted
to hunt for ever.
A man once mocked Hackelnberg, as lie heard him riding
through the air with his " hoho !" and was pursued by him
to his own door, which he entered, and went ratthng after
him even into the hayloft, to which he had fled for security.
There Hackelnberg threw a horse's leg to him. On the
following morning the man died.
Another time some horse-boys, watching on the com-
mon by night, called after him as he came rushing by
with his dogs ; when rending a horse in pieces, he took
one piece for himself, threw another to his dogs, and also
gave a part to each of the horse-boys, saying :
Hast du helfen jagen, If thou hast help'd to hunt,
soUst auch helfen knagen ! thou shalt also holp to gnaw !
and then rode away. The boys who ate of the roast con-
tinued alive, but those who did not died shortly after.
Some others lying by a fire in the field one night as
Hackelnberg passed by, called to him : " Half a horse !"
whereat he threw a horse's leg down into the fire. They
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 93
then called to him to bring them some salt, which he was
unable to do, and the horse/s leg vanished.
At Rocklum, not far from Wolfenbiittel, there are several
earth-mounds on an eminence, of one of which it is related,
that Hackelnberg with the Wild Hunt once passing by,
felt a grain of sand in his shoe, which he shook out, and
thus formed the hillock. According to one tradition,
Hackelnberg returns every seventh year, and makes his
tour.
The following are the Westphalian traditions of Hack-
elnberg^ :
Hackelbarend (as he is called) was a huntsman who
hunted on Sundays, on account of which profanation he
was, after his death, banished to the air, where, with his
dogs, he must hunt both by day and night without any rest.
According to some, he hunts only in the twelve nights of
Christmas ; according to others, always when the storm-
wind howls ; for which reason some call him the Joljdger
(from jolen, to howl, or Yuletide?). On one of his pro-
gresses, Hackelnberg left one of his dogs behind in a barn
at Isenstadt (bishopric of Minden). There the animal lay
a whole year, every attempt to remove him proving fruit-
less ; but when, in the following year, Hackelnberg with
his Wild Hunt again passed by, the dog suddenly sprang
up, and ran barking and yelling after the troop.
Two young fellows going one night from Bergkirchen,
through the forest, to visit their sweethearts, heard in the
air above them a wild noise of dogs and a voice at inter-
vals crying " hoto, hoto ! " This was Hackelblock, the
wild huntsman, with his company. One of the young
men was so rash as to call out, mocking him, "hoto,
hoto ! " at which Hackelblock approached, and with his
1 Grimm, D. M. p. 873, from Wedcligens Westfal. Mag., Redckers
Westfiil. Sagen, etc.
94 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
whole pack rode over him. Of the unfortunate young
man not a trace could be found.
Hackelnbcrg rides in rain and storm through the Thu-
ringian forest, but in preference through the Hackel (a
forest between Halberstadt, Groningen and Derenburg).
On his deathbed he would hear nothing about heaven, and
to the priest's exhortation said, that our Lord God might
keep his heaven, provided only that he might continue to
hunt. At which the priest exclaimed : " Then hunt until
the last day ! " A malediction now in the course of fuL
iilment. A faint barking or yelping in the air announces
his approach ; a screechowl flies before him, called by the
people the tutosel. Wanderers, who fall in his way, throw
themselves on their faces, and let him ride over them.
Tutosel, it is said, was a nun, who after her death associ-
ated herself with Hackelnberg, and mingled her " uhu ! ''
with his ^^huhu!"
Hackelnberg (according to another tradition) hunted on
Sundays, and compelled all the peasants dependent on
him to accompany him. One day there came two horse-
men galloping up beside him, who commanded him to go
with them. One of them, on his right, was fierce and
wild of aspect, and from his horse's mouth and nostrils
there sprang forth fire ; while the rider on his left was of
gentler and milder mien ; but Hackelnberg turned to the
wild one, who galloped off" with him, and in whose com-
pany he must hunt until the last day. Others say that
Hackelnberg lived in Soiling, not far from Uslar ; that he
led a pious life, but was so devoted to the chase, that on
his deathbed he prayed to God that he would allow him,
for his share of heaven, to hunt in Soiling till the day of
judgement. His prayer was granted, and often in the
forest is to be heard at night the baying of dogs and an
appalling blast of horns. His grave is in Soiling ; near
him lie two black dogs.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 95
The inconsistent diversity of place evidently shows that Hackelnberg is
a mythic being ; a name occurring in so many parts must be more than
historic. The Westphahan form of the name, Hackelberend, I consider
the oldest and most genuine. Hakolberand is unquestionably an Old
Saxon denomination of Wodan, vrhich has been gradually corrupted into
Hakkelberg, Hakkenberg, Hakkelblok, etc. The Meklenburg tradition of
" Wod" (see p. 61) places this connection of the Wild Huntsman with
Woden beyond a doubts
WITCHES IN GITTELDE.
In Gittelde there were formerly many witches_, and the
houses which they inhabited might be known by fire often
to be seen over the chimneys ; for then Urian was sitting
above, and brought them whatever they required.
There was once a witch there, who had a serving-man
named Hans, who was always driving in great loads of
wood, but yet never observed that any was ever burnt, and
that, nevertheless, eatables were always at hand. He re-
solved on knowing how this came to pass ; so while the
others were gone to church, he feigned to go with them,
but returned and entered the house by a back-door, and
then hid himself under a tub in the kitchen. He had not
been there long, when one came, and called : " Hei kucket,
hei kucket." " They are all at church," said the mistress ;
but the call was repeated : '' Hei kucket, hei kucket,
shall I WTing his neck ?" '^^Ah, what is it you want?"
said the woman, " I tell you they are all in church." The
voice now asked : '' What will you eat ?" " Baked pears,"
answered the woman, and instantly they were hissing in
the dish which she held out. She next requested to have
dumplings, then sauerkraut, both of which were imme-
diately given to her. Hans was a witness of all this, but
kept quite still, and at length stole out. When they were
all at table he said : ^' I am so unwell, I am so unwell,"
and would eat nothing, but was afterwards forced to take
something. When they had eaten, the woman drew him
1 Grimm, D. M. p. 875.
96
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
aside and asked him why he had refused to eat, when he
told her he had witnessed all that had passed, and would
go and inform against her. But she prayed him not to
do so, promised to give him a good sum of money, and
also to instruct him in witchcraft. Hans accepted the
money, and yielded to her persuasions. The woman then
ordered him to go and buy a new pot. He did so, and
on his return she told him to sit on it and say : ^' I believe
in this pot,-*^ etc. But Hans, placing himself upon it, said :
" I believe in God,^^ etc. At which the pot burst into
shivers and a large frog appeared sitting beneath it. Hans
thereupon went instantly and informed against the woman.
An immense pile was then raised, whereon to burn the
old witch, who, when placed upon it, cried out to Hans :
" Thou hast eaten mice instead of baked pears, thou hast
eaten spiders instead of dumplings, thou hast eaten worms
instead of sauerkraut ! ^^ The flames then closed upon her.
THE MONK OF THE MINES.
In the mines about Clausthal and Andreasberg a spectre
was formerly seen, who was denominated the Bergmonch.
He was clad as a monk, but was of gigantic stature, and
always carried in his hand a large tallow candle, which
never went out. When the miners entered in the morn-
ing, he would stand at the aperture with his light, letting
them pass under it ; in the shafts, too, they often met him.
The Bergmonch was formerly a bergmaster or director, who took such
dehght in mining, that, when at the point of death, he prayed that, in-
stead of happy rest in heaven, he might wander about till the last day,
over hill and dale, in pits and shafts, and superintend the mining. He
a])pears to the men in the dress of a bergmaster, with a silver mining
lamp. To those towards whom he is w^ell-disposed he renders many kind
services, and appears to them in a human form and of ordinary stature ;
while to others he appears in his true form. His eyes sprout forth flames,
and are like coach-wheels; his legs are like spiders' webs'.
' Harrys, ii. No. 2.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 97
THE DEMONS OF THE MINE.
As a miner was one day working in a shaft, there came
to him a Uttle man clad in white, with a Hght in his hand,
who beckoned to him to follow him. He did so, and they
came into a spacious hall, where a number of persons were
sitting, all attired like the little man, and eating and
drinking. A cup of wine was also handed to the miner,
to whom, when he had been hospitably treated, the little
man gave a gold pin, telling him, that if any one should
take it from him, he had only to let him know, and he
would wring the neck of him who had taken it, and get
the pin for him again. He then conducted him out of
the mountain and vanished. When the miner returned
home, all appeared strange to him, he knew no one that
he met, and no one knew him; he then went to the
clergyman, who looked through the church book, when it
proved that he had been three ages of man down in the
bowels of the earth with the spirits, though to him it
seemed but a few hours. But the chief officer of the mines,
when he heard the man^s narrative, was seized with a
longing after the gold pin, and when the man refused to
give it him, had it taken from him by force. The miner
then returned to the mine and made his complaint to the
little white man, who went immediately, wrung the officer^s
neck, and restored to the man his pin, by which he be-
came so wealthy, that he had enough for his whole life.
THE NIGHT-RAVEN, OR ETERNAL WAGONER.
In the night the ' hor, hor,^ or ^ hrok, hrok ' of the
night-raven is frequently to be heard. This bird is much
larger than the common raven, and almost as large as a
full-grown hen. By some he is called the Eternal Wagoner,
who also say that he wished, for his share of heaven, to
drive to all eternity ; and he accordingly drives without
cessation, sitting on the middle horse of the celestial wain,
F
98 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
of which the four large stars behind are the four wheels,
but the three foremost stars, which stand in a crooked
line, the three horses ; and the little star over the middle-
most is the eternal wagoner. He guides the horses, and
as the wagon always goes in a circle, they do not stand in
a right line with one another, but in a curve, being always
on the turn. Before midnight the wagon is said to be
going out, when the pole inclines upwards; and after
midnight it goes home, and then the pole inclines down-
wards ^
FRAU HULLE (HOLDA, HULDE).
In the popular traditions of Germany, Holda (Hulda,
HoUe) appears as a superior beiug, favourably disposed
towards mankind, and angry only when she perceives any
disorder or neglect in housewifery. The German tradi-
tions relative to Holda are current chiefly in Hesse and
Thuringia. She is believed to influence the atmospheric
phenomena. A'VTien the sun shines, Holda is said to be
combing her hair ; when it snows, she is making her bed^.
She likes to dwell in lakes and fountains. At noon she
is to be seen as a beautiful, fair woman, bathing in the
stream and then vanishing. Mortals arrive at her dwell-
ing through a fountain. She rides in a chariot, which
she once caused a countryman to repair for her, the chips
from which, when collected, proved to be solid gold. Her
annual visit, which takes place during the twelve days of
Christmas, when spirits are said to wander, and animals,
such as the wolf, are not to be mentioned by name^, brings
fruitfulness to the land. Like Woden, Holda also tra-
verses the air, and, like him, belongs to the Wild Hunt.
Hence the notion that the witches ride in company with
Holda. According to the popular belief, the souls of
unbaptizcd children are received into the Wild Hunt,
1 See p. 58. 2 Kinder und Ilausmarchen, 24. ^ See vol. ii. p. 83.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 99
and fall to the share of the heathen deities, Woden or
Holda.
To this idea of Holda it is, no doubt, to be attributed,
that, instead of a divine form, she is made to assume that
of an ugly, long-nosed, long-toothed crone, with matted,
shaggy hair. ^^ He has been riding with Holle '^ is said
of a person whose hair is uncombed and bristling.
Holda is also described as an encourager of spinning.
To industrious lasses she gives spindles, and in the night
spins their spool full; while she burns or dirties the
wheels of idle spinners. An industrious, good girl, whose
spool fell into her fountain, she rewarded with a shower
of gold. When she goes her round at Christmas all the
spinning-wheels are plentifully furnished, and left stand-
ing for her ; but by Shrove-tide, when she returns home,
all must be spun off: at which season the spinning-wheels
are put out of sight; because flax spun at Shrove-tide
turns out ill, it being a holy time of rest. If she finds
everything as it should be, she gives her blessing : ^' So
many hairs so many good years ;^^ in the opposite case,
her malediction : " So many hairs so many bad years."
According to another German tradition, no flax should
remain on the distaff during the twelve days of Christmas,
lest Frau Holla should come. This is akin to the Danish
superstition, that, from Yule-day to New year's day, no-
thing that runs round may be put in motion, consequently
neither reel nor spindled
Out of her fountain children come, and women who go
down into it become healthy and fruitful. She appro-
priates to herself those that are drowned.
On account of these multifarious attributes, Holda was
generally considered a divinity of much importance. Burc-
hard, bishop of Worms, mentions it as the popular belief
1 See vol. ii. p. 270, No. 10.
r2
100 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
that on certain nights women rode with her on all kinds
of animals, and were supposed to belong to her train ^
As a woman was once going up the Kyffhauser, in
Thurmgia, for the purpose of gathering brushwood, she
saw, although it was only April, an old woman sitting and
collecting cotton capsules, of which she had a large heap
lyin"- by her. But it being usual to collect these only in
the height of summer, the woman was surprised, and
asked the crone what she intended to do with them, as
they were not yet fit for use. The old woman told her
she mi"-ht take with her as many as she wished, and that
she would soon find a use for them ; but the other would
not believe her. She then gave the woman a whole apron -
ful, and also put some into her basket. The woman then
went to gather hazel-twigs, but on opening her apron,
found she had pure gold pieces in it, as well as in the
basket. Thereupon she ran back to the spot where the
old woman had been sitting, but both she and the heap
of capsules had disappeared.
As a man was going over a mountain late in the eve-
ning, he saw Frau Hulle sitting, busily occupied in strip-
ping off flax capsules, of which she had a large heap lying
before her. The man wished her a good evening ; she
thanked him courteously and said, he might put some of
the capsules into his pocket and take them home. The
man thanked her for her good will, but said he had plenty
already, and therefore would not encumber himself. He
had proceeded only a little way further, when something
ni his shoe began to give him pain, and on examination,
he found in it some large particles of gold. These were
the capsules, a few of which had fallen into his shoe.
1 Grimm, D. M. p. 245. Miiller, Gesch. der Altd. ReUg. p. 122.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 101
TRADITIONS OF THE KYFFHAUSER.
In the Kyffhaiiser tlie emperor Frederic Barbarossa
exists in a state of enchantment. There he sits, with all
his knights and squires, at a large table, through which his
beard has grown. Beneath the mountain all is splendid and
radiant with gold and precious stones ; and although it is
a subterranean cavern, it is as light as in the sunniest day.
There are the most magnificent trees and shrubs, and
through the middle of this paradise there flows a brook,
from which if a handful of mud be taken, it will instantly
become pure gold. Here a horseman constantly rides up
and down ; but others say he sits on a cock, and is very
probably the evil one himself, who has effected all this
enchantment. A shepherd one St. John's day entered the
mountain when it was standing open, and beheld all its
splendour with amazement. The horseman before-men-
tioned then made a sign to him to take some of the horse-
meal, which he did, and which proved to be all gold.
Some musicians returning from a wedding, had to pass
over the Kyffhauser, when one among them, a mad-brained
fellow, said : " Listen, friends — as we have played so much,
we will play up something to the old emperor Frederic.^'
The others at first refused, saying they were tired, but he
talked them over so humorously, that they at length all
struck up. When they ceased a young damsel stept out
from the Erfurt gate, who brought them the old emperor's
thanks, and gave to each, as a remembrance, a horse's
head. All stared with astonishment as the young damsel
disappeared, and began to reproach their mad companion
for having stopt them for the sake of such a paltry reward,
and threw their horses' heads far away from them. But
their companion was as merry as ever, and kept his head,
saying : " If it 's good for nothing else, it will serve as a
102 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
joke with my old dame." They then went home, and the
merry one clandestinely laid the head under the bolster.
On waking in the morning he said to his wife: ''Just
look what a handsome present I have brought you from
old Redbeard.'' She raised the bolster, and the man
thought, now she will be finely frightened, but to his
unutterable astonishment she drew forth a lump of gold,
so heavy that she could hardly lift it.
Some say that the emperor Otto sits in the Kyffhauser,
and that a musician having one day met him near the
mountain, the emperor ordered him to strike up a march,
and gave him, when he had played it, three bones as a
reward, which he was not to look at before he reached
home, and then he found them turned to pure gold.
In the Kifhauser, in Thuringia, sleeps Frederic Red-
beard. He sits at a round stone table, supporting his
head on his hand and nodding. His beard grows round
the table, and has already made the circuit twice ; when
it shall have grown round a third time, the king will
wake. On issuing from the mountain he will hang his
shield on a withered tree, which will then become green,
and a better time will ensue. Some have, however, seen
him awake. Of a shepherd, who had played him a pleasing
tune, he inquired : " Do the ravens still fly round the
mountain?" and on the shepherd answering in the affir-
mative, he said: "Then must I sleep a hundred years
longer." This shepherd was taken into the king's armouiy,
and was presented with the foot of a hand-basin of pure
gokU.
' Grimm, D. M. p. 907. Tlie original sleeper both here and in the
C)(lenl)crg was, no rlouht, Odin (Wuotan), as appears from the inquiry
about the ravens, which could hardly he ol)jects of interest to the em-
peror Frederic Barbarossa.— lb. Von-ede, p. xvi.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 103
THE SMITH OF JUTERBOGK ^
In the little towD of Jiiterbogk there once dwelt a smith,
of whom both young and old relate a wonderful story.
This smith when a youth had a very strict father and
faithfully observed God's commandments. He had tra-
velled much and passed through many adventures, and
was, moreover, skilful and active in his art beyond all
belief. He possessed a chalybeate tincture that made every
harness or mail coat impenetrable that was washed with it.
He had been with the army of the emperor Frederic II.,
in which he had borne the office of imperial armourer, and
had made the campaign of Milan and Apulia. There he
had captured the standard of the city; and, after the
death of the emperor, had returned home with a consider-
able treasure. He had seen good days, and afterwards
evil ones, and was more than a hundred years old. Once,
w^hen sitting in his garden under an old pear-tree, there
came a little grey man riding on an ass, who had pre-
viously often proved himself the smith's guardian spirit.
The little man took up his quarters with the smith,
and had his ass shod, which the smith wilHngly did with-
out i:equiring any remuneration. The little man then
said to Peter (for so the smith was named) that he should
wish three w^ishes, but in so doing not forget the best. So
— because his pears had often been stolen by thieves — he
wished that whoever climbed up into his pear-tree might
not be able to come down without his permission ; and —
because thefts had often been perpetrated in his apart-
ment— he wished that no one might enter it without his
permission, unless it were through the keyhole. At each
of these foolish wishes, the little man reminded him not
to forget the best ; whereupon the smith uttered his third
^ From Bechstein's Deutsches Marchenbuch. Leipzig, 1848,'p. 44, and
his Kiffhausersagen.
lOi NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
wish, saying : " The best is a good schnapps (dram), and
therefore I will wish that this flask may never be empty."
" Thy wishes are granted/' said the old man, then drew
his hand over some bars of iron that were lying in the
smithy, mounted his ass and rode away. The iron was
found changed to bright silver. The smith, who had been
so poor, was now rich again, and lived on and on in con-
siderable comfort ; for the never-failing cordial drops in
the flask were, unknown to the smith, an elixir of life.
At length, however. Death, who seemed to have forgotten
him, knocked at his door. The smith, according to all
appearance, was perfectly ready to go with him, and
begged him to allow him a little refreshment, and to have
the goodness to get him a few pears from the tree, which
he could no longer climb on account of the weakness of
age. Death then mounted the tree, but no sooner was he
up than the smith cried out : " There stay ! " for he felt
a wish to live a little longer. Death now devoured every
pear on the tree, and then began his fasts, until from
hunger he consumed himself, even to his skin and hair,
whence it is that he is now such a horrible dry skeleton.
In the world no more beings died, neither men nor beasts,
whereby no slight inconvenience was occasioned. But at
length the smith went to Death, who was rattling in the
tree, and agreed with him for a further respite. He then
let Death loose. Urged by all the furies. Death now flew
away and began to make a clearance in the world. Being
unable to wreak his vengeance on the smith, he set the
devil upon him, that he might fetch him. The fiend in-
stantly commenced his journey, but the cunning smith
smelt the brimstone at a distance, closed his door, held
with his workmen a leather bag to the keyhole, and as
Master Urian passed through — for by no other way could
he enter the smithy— tied up the mouth of the bag, laid
it on the anvil, and then with the heaviest hammers began
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 105
beating so unmercifully on the poor devil that he lost all
sense of hearing and seeing, was become quite tender, and
swore never to come again.
The smith now lived long in peace, until, when all his
friends and acquaintance were dead, he became weary of
living on earth. He therefore set out on his journey and
proceeded to heaven, where he humbly knocked at the
gate. St. Peter looked out, in whom Peter the smith re-
cognised his patron and guardian spirit, who had often
visibly rescued him from danger and difficulty, and had
lastly granted him the three wishes. But now^ said St.
Peter : " Take thyself hence ; to thee is heaven closed : thou
didst forget to wish for the best — for eternal happiness ! ^'
At this answer Peter turned away and resolved on trying
his luck in the opposite realm, and returning downwards,
soon found himself on the straight, broad and well-fre-
quented road. But when the devil was informed that the
smith of Jiiterbogk was approaching, he slammed the door
in his face, and placed his kingdom in a state of defence.
So when the smith of Jiiterbogk could not find an asylum
either in heaven or hell, and had no inclination to return
to the world, he went down into the Kiffhaiiser, to his
old master, the emperor Frederic. The old kaiser was de-
lighted at seeing his armourer Peter, and immediately
asked him whether the ravens still continued to fly about
the tower of the ruined castle of Kiffhaiisen ? And when
Peter answered in the affirmative, old Redbeard heaved a
sigh. But the smith remained in the mountain, and shoes
the emperor^s palfrey, and those of the noble damsels of
his court, until the hour of the emperor^s deliverance
strikes, which will also be that of his own. And that will
happen — the tradition tells us — when the ravens no longer
fly round the mountain, and on the lliithsfeld, near the
Kiff'hauser, an old withered worn-out pear-tree again
sends out shoots, bears foliage and blossoms. Then will
F 5
106 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
the emperor come forth with all his armed followers^ will
fight the great fight of deliverance, and hang his shield
on the renovated tree; after which he will go with his
companions into everlasting rest.
THE WUNDERBLUME (MIRACLE-FLOWER).
In the old castle of Questenberg there are still inesti-
mable treasures, and many a one has thereby become rich.
In Sangerhausen there was once a man, who, as he was
passing across a field on his way to Questenberg, saw a
beautiful flower, which he plucked, and proceeded on his
way. When arrived in the village, he thought to himself :
" So often as I have been in Questenberg, I have never yet
been up to the old castle : I ^11 go now/^ He did so, and
when he reached it he observed a large iron door, on
stepping towards which, it flew open, and he entered into
a spacious vault. There he saw gold and silver lying in
vast heaps, of which he first crammed his pockets full,
and when they would hold no more, filled his hat. At this
moment a voice was heard, saying : " Forget not the best ! ^'
But he went out, and as he w^as passing through the en-
trance, the door slammed to and crushed his heel, so that
he was lame ever after. He had left the Wunderblume
in the vault ^
Another, who had also found the Wunderblume and
likewise the iron door, fetched every day a silver coin of
a quadrangular form, which he took to Nordhausen, and
there disposed of for five dollars. But he soon thought :
Wliy should I go so often ? and then took two, and shortly
after, three pieces, till at length he came with a wagon,
but found no more.
In another account it is said, that the Wunderhlume grows in the Johan-
nisthal in Clausthal. Whoever is perfectly innocent, and to whom it is,
' See p. S9.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 107
moreover, granted to find it by accident — for those that seek for it never
find it — acquires the faculty, as long as he carries it about him, of making
himself invisible, and of understanding the speech of animals.
A story, in most of its essential parts agreeing with the above, is related
of King Abel's palace in Sleswig. See * Die gelbe Blume ' in Miillenhoff,
No. 468. See also Grimm, D. M. p. 923.
THE WERWOLF'S GIRDLE.
Formerly there were persons who, by putting on a
certain girdle, could change themselves into werwolves. A
man in the neighbourhood of Steina, who had such a
girdle, forgot once, when he was going out, to lock it up,
as it was his custom to do. In his absence his little son
chanced to find it, and buckled it round him, and was in
an instant turned into such an animal, which to outward
appearance resembled a bundle of pea-straw, and went
rolling out like an unwieldy bear. When those who were
in the room perceived this, they hurried forth and fetched
the father, who came just in time to unbuckle the belt,
before the child had done any mischief. The boy after-
wards said, that when he had put on the girdle, he was
seized with such a raging hunger, that he was ready to
tear in pieces and devour all that came in his way.
TRADITIONS OF DWARFS.
Once upon a time, at a marriage feast, there was an
abundance of all sorts of viands, but no sooner were they
served up than they disappeared, so that the bride and
bridegroom looked on each other in amazement, and laid
their heads together, but finally resolved to go on serving
the guests as long as anything remained to serve, and not
let them depart with hungry stomachs. But when the
company came to offer their presents, the dwarfs — for it
was they who had helped to eat the dinner — took off their
hats, when it appeared very evidently how the eatables
had vanished with such rapidity ; for the whole room
108 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
swarmed with those beings ^ But if they had helped to
eat, they helped also in besto\Ndng presents, eveiy one
placing a piece of gold in the basket, which proved
scarcely large enough to hold them all.
A farmer had a beautiful field of peas, but when he
came to gather them, the pods were almost all empty, and
when he set himself to watch, he heard a rustling, but
saw no one. So one day he and his man went to the field
together, ha\dng with them a rope, of which each taking
an end, they ran up and down the field, and thus swept
off their mist-caps (nebelkappen) from the heads of the
dw^arfs. Being thus captured, they had to pay the farmer
dearly for his peas, before they could get their caps back ;
but no sooner had they got them than they were off with
a ' hui ! '
A dwarf came one day to a farmer and requested him
to cut for him an ear of barley every day, telling him it
should not be to his detriment. The farmer did so, going
himself daily to cut the ear ; and the dwarf came as re-
gularly, took the ear on his back, and went away panting
under his burthen. In the mean while the farmer's cattle
became larger and fatter from day to day, though he gave
them hardly any fodder. But one day the farmer having
no time to spare, sent his man to cut the ear, who seeing
the dwarf go panting away under it, laughed at him, and
said that it was but an ear of barley, and that he had no
occasion to pant so. This the dwarf took amiss, and never
returned, while the farmer's cattle visibly grew leaner and
leaner, and all the food that was given them was of no
avail ; the number of their ribs might have been counted.
See vol. ii, p. 134.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 109
A dwarf came one day to a girl and gave her a distaff
full of flax, on which there was enough for her whole life,
provided she never spun it quite off. She spun from one
year to another, and yet the distaff was always full, and
she got so much yarn that she was constantly adding one
piece of fine linen to another. At last she thought she
might as well know what was beneath the flax, and why
she might never spin it all off; and so she spun quicker
and quicker, and had at length the end of it between her
fingers. But under the flax there was nothing on the
distaff, and the everlasting supply was irrecoverably gone.
TRADITIONS OF THE HUBICHENSTEIN K
THE DWARF KING.
In days of yore the Giibich was in the habit of making
his appearance in the neighbourhood about the Hiibichen-
stein, near Grund^ ; for deep under the Hiibichenstein the
dwarfs had their dwelling, and the Giibich was their king.
He had shaggy hair like a bear, and a very ancient visage.
So he formerly appeared to the people. On those to whom
he was well-disposed he bestowed great riches; but to
those who offended him, or otherwise excited his wrath,
he caused much annoyance. He knew all the salutary
plants in the Harz, and thereby restored many a one to
health ; but he never would allow any one to ascend the
Hiibichenstein^.
The Giibich was of short stature, but could stretch him-
1 This and the following traditions are from Harry's ' Sagen, Marchen
iind Legenden Niedersachsens.' Celle, 1840.
- A small town at the western extremity of the Harz, remarkal)le for
its vast suhterranean works for the draining of the mines.
3 Those that went up were unable to descend ; for having reached the
summit, they were unable to move a foot, and on the following morning
were found dashed to pieces beneath.
1 10 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
self out to a considerable length. Formerly he might ap-
pear in the upper world once in every hundred years ; but
now he may no longer do so.
Some say the Hiibichenstein floated to its present site at the time of the
Deluge ; others that a giant found it in his shoe and shook it out there.
II.
THE ASCENT OF THE HUBICHENSTEIN.
In the forest-house at Grund there dwelt in former times
a forester, who lost his wife at a very early period, and had
only one son. The youth was said to be both good and
clever, only somewhat too inquisitive, as youths now-a-
days are wont to be. This lad one day went out with
some of his companions to take a walk in the wood, and
on reaching the Hiibichenstein their discourse turned upon
its height, when one of them said, that could easily be
ascertained by any one who would ascend it. Whereupon
the forester^s son remarked, that to ascend it was a trifling
matter, and he would undertake the adventure, although
the others strongly endeavoured to dissuade him; for
whenever any one has ascended it, he has not been able
to come down again, and on the following morning has
been found lying at the foot dashed to atoms. To this
story the forester's son gave no credit, but, laughing, said
that he would be the first to do the deed, and would not
allow himself to be held back. His task must have been
hard enough, for what is now called the Little Hiibichen-
stein was formerly much higher than that which is now
called the Great Hiibichenstein, and was therefore then
named the Great Hiibichenstein.
When standing on the summit he laughed at and jeered
his friends, saying they appeared as diminutive as dwarfs.
When he had stood thus for some time the wind began to
blow and he thought it advisable to descend, but could
not, being unable to move a foot ; while those below were
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. Ill
unable to afford him the slightest aid. At length he
besought his friends to grant him a last favour and shoot
him down, that he might not fall alive. But this no one
would do. Intelligence of the incident had now reached
his father^ who going to the spot saw with his own eyes
his son standing on the Great Hiibichenstein and without
the means of helping him. He wept, tore his hair, and
was almost frantic with grief, but all this availed nothing.
When evening came on the sky was cloudy, the wdnd began
to rage, and the rain fell in such torrents that no one
could stand against it, and the people bore the old forester
back to his house by force. A¥hen again at home he
thought : ^' Thou wilt only do a benefit to thy child, and
the merciful God will forgive thee." He then took his
best rifle and again went forth to the Hiibichenstein.
Allien he was out of Grund the rain suddenly ceased, while
over Grund it fell in torrents, all around being clear and
the moon bright. On his way to the Hiibichenstein he
began to weep and to pray, and was quite overcome by
anguish of heart and sorrow ; when on a sudden a little
man appeared close by him with a snow-white beard and
leaning on a fir-branch. " Good luck to you," said the
little man, and at the same time asked him why he was
going so late into the wood. The forester felt somewhat
terrified, but had no inclination to say whither he was
going or for what purpose. The little man then asked
him why he sighed so repeatedly, and what afflicted him
so that the tears were constantly running down his cheeks ;
adding that he should impart the cause of his sorrow, and
that all might yet be w^ell. The forester was now more
communicative, and informed him, if perchance he did not
know it already, that he was the man whose son was
standing fixed on the Hiibichenstein ; that the devil had
tempted him to make the ascent ; that the young man had
implored every one for God^s sake to shoot him down ; but
112 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
that no one had been so compassionate ; so that the task
devolved on him ; for he trusted that God would not re-
gard it as a sin. For how could he wait until his own
child should fall down alive and perish so miserably ? He
then began again to lament, and said that he had not
merited such a calamity on his son, whom he had reared
up with all care, kept him strictly to church and to school ;
that he was, moreover, so pious, and would not have vexed
a child or trodden on a worm. He would rather have
died with his beloved wife than lived to experience such
an affliction, and be thus forsaken and have no child to
close his eyes. This lament went to the old man's heart ;
but while the forester was yet speaking the little man
suddenly vanished. The father now looked up to the peak
of the Hiibichenstein, placed himself at its foot and levelled
his piece at his son, who called to him, beseeching him
only to fire, and saying he feared not to leave the world
at that moment. The forester was about to fire, when
in one instant thousands of little men came springing
forth from all the hedges and bushes. They hurried to-
wards him, pelted him with fir-cones, made all sorts of
faces at him, and beat him about the legs with thorns and
briars. The more he strove to defend himself the worse
it w^as, and they were so nimble that he could not catch a
single one. In the midst of them stood the little man
with the snow-white beard, egging the others on. At
length the forester, seeing that he could do nothing, re-
turned to his dwelling.
No sooner was he gone than all was uproar on the Hii-
bichenstein, little men without number coming from all
directions up the rock, all on iron ladders, that reached
from the foot to the summit, and every one holding a
brazen mining lamp in his hand; of these some were
young, others old and with shaggy heads like a bear. The
first that ascended was an old man with a snow-white
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 113
beard which reached to his breast^ and holding a silver
mining lamp that shone like the bright sun ; on his head
was a golden crown. He commanded the others and was
their king. — This was the Giibich.
When on the summit, he said to the forester^s son :
'' Who has ordered thee to ascend my stone ? In strict-
ness I ought to have thee thrown to the bottom, and
never shall another so escape ; but I have compassion on
thy father, because he is a most worthy man/^
The Giibich thereupon released him, and desired him
to descend on one of the ladders ; but his knees seemed
almost broken. The Giibich then called one of his little
men to him, who placing the youth on his shoulders, car-
ried him down with the utmost ease. When they were
descended, and the dwarf had set down his burthen, the
Giibich, taking the young man^s hand, conducted him into
his palace under the Hiibichenstein. They entered an
apartment, the walls of which glittered with galena ^ ; the
roof consisted of a single piece of heavy spar, as white as
snow, from which there hung a great crown light, com-
posed wholly of crystal and precious stones of great mag-
nitude ; the floor was strewed with green fir-branches, and
the pannels were resplendent with gold and gems. In the
middle of the apartment stood a table of brown hsematite ^,
before which was a silver chair, sitting down on which the
dwarf king desired the forester^s son also to seat himself.
With a silver hammer he then struck on the table, which
gave forth so sweet a sound that the like was never heard
on earth. In an instant a thousand little females entered,
bearing in strawberries and raspberries, of which the Gii-
bich invited the forester^s son to partake. They then
conversed together, while the little men and women per-
* Sulphuret of lead.
2 Fibrous brown iron ore, ' brauner Glaskopf.'
114 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
formed some music. When the repast was over, the Giibich
again struck the table with the silver hammer, and before
the sweet tones had died away, the little women brought
in vessels of solid silver; and the Giibich invited the young
man to drink. He did so, but anything so excellent he
had never before drunk.
When the forester's son was thus refreshed, the Giibich
conducted him into another apartment, in which stood a
large brewing copper full of guilders, as bright as if just
issued from the mint.
The Giibich informed him that that was his treasure,
which his subjects had to provide for him ; that from it
he had assisted many a poor person, and was not the
enemy of man ; but that people must leave him in peace.
'^ If now thou wilt render me a service,^' added he, " thou
shalt not repent it. Know that so long as the Great
Hiibichenstein continues to be the Great, I have authority
on it, and may go about on the earth ; but when the Great
Hiibichenstein becomes the Little, it will cost me my
crown, and then I may rule only under the earth. Now
the people are always shooting at hawks and buzzards up
on the Hiibichenstein, and that I cannot suffer; for if
they strike the stone, a part crumbles off. If therefore
thou wilt take care that no one injures the stone, thou
shalt become a rich man, and mayest take from the brew-
ing copper as much as thou wilt." The forester's son
promised accordingly, and gave him his hand ; then taking
from the copper as much as he would, filled his pockets
and his cap. Tlie Giibich then conducted him into an-
other apartment, in which there was a bed of moss pre-
pared with the greatest care. The Giibich told him that
he would wake him early in the morning, and wished him
good night. He had not slept long when he awoke, and,
on opening his eyes, saw that the morning was already
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 115
grey. On looking about him, he found he was lying
at the foot of the Hiibichenstein, with his cap full of
guilders by his side, and his pockets also full of guilders.
His adventure he related to the authorities, and be-
stowed a portion of his riches on the poor, and built a
church in Grund, where there had not previously been one.
And the authorities made a law that no one should ascend
the Hiibichenstein, and no one there shoot at hawks or
buzzards or ravens. And as long as the Great Hiibichen-
stein continued unimpaired the Giibich resided there, and
did much good and punished evil, and was seen by many.
But in the Thirty years^ war, the imperialists, through
wantonness, battered down the peak of the Great Hiibi-
chenstein with their artillery, from which time no one has
ever seen the Giibich.
III.
THE SILVER FIR-CONE.
Very very long ago there dwelt in Grund a miner, who
in the cupboard of his room had a fir-cone of pure silver,
as natural as if it had grown on a tree. Now any one may
well ask how a miner could get such a treasure ? His
story, as he has told it to many, was as follows : —
His great-grandfather, who was also a miner, was once
sick for many weeks together, and it was a time of dearth,
and the miners in those days had no allowance during
sickness as at present ; that custom having been intro-
duced at a later period. He had seven childi-en living,
so that it may easily be imagined there was no super-
abundance of bread for them, or, indeed, of anything else.
The miner and his wife were now quite disheartened. The
wife, as she was one day standing before the door, thinking
on what was to be done, resolved on going to the forest and
gathering a basketful of fir-cones, in the hope of selling
them, as they would at all events fetch something. She
116 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
set out accordingly, and when on her way to the forest,
thinking of her sad fate, tears came into her eyes, and she
sat down and wept, holding her hands before her face.
Having thus sitten a while, on looking up she saw stand-
ing before her a little old man with a snow-white beard
and clad in a singular garb, who had apparently been long
gazing on her. He inquired the cause of her sorrow ; she
answered that he could not help her. But the little man,
in a friendly tone, said, people were wont not to give
credit to others for what they can do, and that she might
confidently tell him the cause of her grief. Being thus
encouraged, she related to him how her husband had been
long sick, that they had seven children, and not a morsel
of bread in the house, that they had pledged or sold
everything, and that the owner would no longer suffer
them to remain in the house ; that she was then come out
for the purpose of gathering a load of fir-cones, to enable
them to buy some bread. The little man then strove to
console her, bidding her be of good cheer, and saying that
all would yet go well, and that if she wished for good fir-
cones, she had only to go to the Hiibichenstein, and not
be afraid. He then bade her good morning and went into
the thicket.
But the woman went to the Hiibichenstein, where,
having placed her basket on the ground, she began look-
ing for fir-cones. No sooner had she begun her search
than fir-cones fell about her on every side, and in such
abundance that she at first thought that boys had con-
cealed themselves in the Hiibichenstein and were making
sport with her, at the instigation of the little man. She
therefore snatched up her basket and hurried away, not
feeling desirous of having her eyes beaten out of her head.
Though her fear was quite groundless ; for all the cones
had fallen into the basket ; but persons in such affliction
are heedless of what passes around them ; so she left the
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 117
Hiibichenstein and went to another spot, where she filled
her basket, though she had no need to gather many more.
On her way home, the basket, at every instant, grew heavier
and heavier, so that she was obliged to rest many times
before she reached her dwelling. Though this seemed to
her very extraordinary, she entertained no suspicions, and,
on reaching her home, went to empty her basket in the
shed, with the intention of returning to the forest for more
cones. But, to her unutterable astonishment, cones of pure
silver fell from her basket. She resolved at once not to
keep them, thinking they came there by no righteous
means; "and who knows,^^ thought she, "whether the
little fellow is not Satan himself?^'' She then related to
her husband all that had taken place, describing the little
man, and asked him whether it could all be by fair means,
and whether she might keep the cones ? Her husband
answered that she might keep them all, and that the little
man was no doubt the Giibich, who had helped many a
poor person.
On the following morning he would allow her no rest ;
she must go again to the forest ; perhaps she might again
meet with the Giibich, and have an opportunity of thanking
him. And so it happened, for no sooner had she reached the
spot than she saw the little man with the snow-white beard,
who asked her whether on the preceding day she had not
found beautiful fir-cones ? When she began to thank him,
and to tell him how she was now free from all her difficul-
ties, the Giibich laughed and gave her a bunch of plants,
of which she should make her husband a drink, by the
virtue of which he would soon be well again. He then
went again into the thicket. But the woman returned
home, prepared the drink, and from that hour her husband
became well, and they lived long and happy together. The
silver they took to the mint and became immensely rich,
118 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
and did much good to many poor people. One of the
cones they preserved as a remembrance, and that is the
one which the miner had standing in his cupboard.
THE BELL-POND.
In the village of Moringen, near Gottingen, there is a
garden, in which is a pond called the Opferteich. In
ancient times public meetings were held in its vicinity,
under a large oak, from the sacrifices at which the pond
is said to have derived its name of the Opferteich, or sa-
crificial pond. It is very deep, has no visible afflux, but
plentiful subterranean springs.
It is related that every year at Christmas, from the hour
of twelve till one, a bell is heard tolling from its depth.
The knights of the Temple, who formerly had a house
there, once had a new bell cast and hung in the church
tower still in existence ; but they forgot, before using it,
to have it consecrated to divine service, and baptized ac-
cording to ancient custom. It was their intention to use
the bell, for the first time, for mass on Christmas eve ;
but hardly had it struck the first stroke, when it was torn
away by a miraculous power, and projected, through the
sound-hole of the tower, into the Opferteich. There it
lies to this day ; but every Christmas eve it rises to the
surface, tolls, and sinks again. No fish can live in that
water.
THE BELL AT COENHAUSEN.
In the church of Cocnhausen, in the county of Dassel,
there is a bell, on which is the following inscription : " I
call the living, bewail the dead, and drive away tliunder.^^
The people of the place have, from time immemorial, placed
great confidence in this bell, and believe that in a storm,
as soon as the bell sounds, the thunder must cease.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 1 19
THE CHILDREN OF HAMELN.
In the year 1284 the town of Hameln was mtolerably
infested with rats. One day there came a man to the
town^ most singularly clad^ and no one knew from whence,
who gave himself out for a rat-catcher, and offered, for a
certain sum of money, to rid them of those noxious animals.
The townsmen agreed to his proposal, and promised him
the remuneration required. Thereupon the man drew
forth a pipe, and piped, and in an instant the rats came
hurrying forth from every house, cellar and corner, and
in such numbers that the streets were over and over
covered with them. The man then proceeded to the gate
leading to Lachem and Aerzen, and, on reaching the
Weser, tucked up his dress and walked into the river;
and the rats, following his example, plunged into the
water and were drowned. But no sooner were the towns-
men relieved from their torment, than they repented of
their promise, and on the plea that the man was a sorcerer,
refused to pay him the stipulated remuneration. At this
he was furious, and vowed vengeance.
On the 26th June, the day of St. John and St. Paul,
when almost every Christian soul was in church, the
sorcerer again entered the town, but this time in a dif-
ferent guise. He was clad as a huntsman, with a fire-
red hat, and had a most terrific countenance. He struck
up a tune, at which all the children were so fascinated,
that they must needs follow him at every step. Slowly
he marched up the narrow street leading to the east gate,
with the children in great number after him ; then, passing
through the gate, proceeded to a mountain called the
Koppelberg, in which they all disappearedo
This was witnessed by a nursery-maid, who related that
the mountain opened, and as soon as the man with the
children (to the number of a hundred and thirty) had
120 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
entered, closed again. Two little boys, it is said, re-
mained behind, one of whom was blind, and could, there-
fore, only recount what he had heard, and the other dumb,
who could only point out the spot where the calamity
had taken place. Fathers and mothers now rushed out
at the east gate, but when they came to the mountain,
nothing was there observable but a small hollow, where
the sorcerer had entered.
The street through which the sorcerer led the children
is called the Bungenstrasse, because no music, no drum
(Bunge) may be played in it. If a bridal procession
passes through it, the music must cease until it is out of
it. It is not many years since, that on the Koppelberg —
now overgrown with thorns — two stone crosses were to be
seen, which, it is said, were in remembrance of this event ;
the history of it is also sculptured on the wall of a house
in the Bungengasse, as well as in many other places in the
town, both in wood and stone. For a long time the town
dated its public documents from this calamity.
Many are the relations of this event. See Grimm, D. S. i. p. 330.
THE WHITE GHOSTS IN THE LUiNINGSBERG.
Many years ago the White Ghosts in the Liiningsberg,
near Aerzen, where the beautiful, level grass-plot lies amid
verdant copses, were in the habit of playing by night at
skittles, with golden skittles and golden bowls. It must
have been a wondrous sight, when in the nocturnal dark-
ness the glittering bowls were rolling swift as an arrow
along the smooth, green turf, and the skittles fell with a
clear, musical sound. It must have been a beauteous
spectacle, when the moon, bright and full, stood over the
forest, in the blue heaven, and illumined the oaks, beeches
and firs, which encircled the mysterious skittle-ground.
When the sounding skittles fell, the little party-coloured
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 121
birds in the trees have oftentimes been waked, and looked
with inquisitive eyes from the branches ; hares, roes, foxes
and badgers have approached to look on, and all con-
ducted themselves becomingly. The ghosts in the Lii-
ningsberg had for a long time carried on their play, in
which no one was willing to disturb them. The people
in Aerzen had much to tell about the golden bowls and
skittles; but no living soul had ever ventured into the
forest by night ; the terror was too great.
But there was a journeyman weaver, who had travelled
and wandered much in foreign lands. On his return home,
the miller^s fair daughter, Anna, gave greater delight to
his heart than all that he had seen in the world besides.
Both were, however, wretchedly poor, and, therefore, un-
able to marry; but Henry, for such was his name, who
was a daring young fellow, soon hit upon a project. '' I
will go to the Liiningsberg,^^ said he, " when the ghosts
are bowling at their golden skittles, and get hold of one
of them.^^ So one fine, mild night, he stole timidly and
softly through the shrubs and fields, but on reaching the
forest his heart beat violently. He approached the grass-
plot, and now witnessed all that had been related to him.
He saw how the little white spectres hurled with an arrow^s
speed their bright bowls along the verdant turf, which
instantly came rolling back to them spontaneously ; how
the golden skittles fell with a tuneful clang. The fox
also, and the badger, and the roe, and the hare, he saw
sitting peaceably together, and the little birds merrily
hopping to the sound among the branches. He crouched
down as low as possible among the underwood on the
heath, fearful of being discovered by the ghosts ; but at
the same time creeping nearer and nearer to the glittering
skittles, till at length he could almost reach one with his
hand. At this moment a vigorous bowl sent one of the
skittles into the underwood in which Henry was concealed ;
G
122 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
he seized it, crying '' Anna ! Anna ! '' and, with the pre-
cious booty, hurried breathless to the outlet of the forest.
But the ghosts had heard his exclamation, their skittle is
stolen, they lament its loss for a moment, and then, urged
on by rage, pursue the audacious mortal, to inflict on him
some terrible chastisement. Henry had, however, reached
the meadow which lies beneath the Liiningsberg, and
hastened towards the old, brittle trunk, which is laid across
the Humme by way of bridge. The ghosts were close
behind him, he could hear them breathe, an icy chill ran
through his whole frame; he missed the narrow path,
yet not dismayed, sprang into the Humme — to his salva-
tion ! " Lucky art thou,'' cried the ghosts, " in water we
have no power ; we could have seized thee on the tree-
trunk, and would have wrung thy neck."
Breathless he reached the opposite bank, from which he
saw the ghosts, like forms of mist, flitting to and fro ; but
they could find no crossing.
Henry and Anna soon had a merry wedding. Henry
bought an old house, demolished it and built a new one
on its site. The ghosts on the Liiningsberg from that
time disappeared. At the present day the spot on the
mountain is show^n, where they played with golden skittles ;
and when the boys and girls of the place pass by the
house on the Miihlbach, before which stands the large
lime-tree, they whisper to each other : " That is the house
that was built from the golden skittle of the ghosts in the
Liiningsberg."
THE ROSE OF HILDESHEIM.
As the emperor Lewis the Pious ^ was one day hunting,
he lost a cross that was filled with relics. On discovering
his loss, he sent his attendants in all directions to search
' Or ' le Dcbonnaire,' as he is called by the French chroniclers.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 123
for the holy treasure, and at the same time made a vow to
build a church on the spot where it should be found. The
men followed the trace of the hunt, and found, far in the
forest, and in the midst of the snow, the cross hanging on
a blooming wild rose-bush. They reported the miracle
to the emperor, who immediately commanded a chapel to
be erected there, with the altar on the spot where the cross
was found on the bush. The rose flourished admirably
on the sacred spot, and now, with its leafy shoots and
branches, like a vine, covers the arches of the cathedral
up to its very roof.
THE SMITH IN THE HUGGEL.
Not far from Osnabriick is the Hiiggel, which is said
to have formerly abounded in gold and silver. The in-
habitants of the neighbourhood tell of many wonders con-
nected with the spacious cave contained in the mountain.
Where, on the rugged declivity of the hill, the road
leads through the defile to the village of Hagen, there
lived, in days of yore, a smith, who was not like other
men, but nevertheless supplied his employers with the
best workmanship. He was a faithful husband, a provi-
dent father to his children and servants, beneficent to
strangers, and never sufi'ered a poor wanderer to pass
his door without rehef. But one Sunday, as his wife was
just coming from church, she was struck dead by light-
ning. At this the smith fell into despair, murmured
against God, would not hear of comfort, nor even see his
children again. At the expiration of a year he was at-
tacked by a fatal malady, and when in his last moments,
there came a stranger to him of venerable aspect, with a
long, white beard, who conveyed him into the hollow cleft
of the Hiiggel, where, in atonement for his crime, and for
the purifying of his soul, he should wander, and be the
Metal-king, until the mountain yielded no more produce :
g2
124 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
he should, moreover, rest by day, and by night continue
to do good to his earthly brethren.
In the cool mine his kindly, beneficent disposition re-
sumed its activity. Gold and silver, he well knew, did
not contribute to make men happy, and he therefore toiled
to extract from the poorest veins the more useful iron, and
is said, in his earlier time, to have made many implements
both domestic and agricultural. At a later period he
limited his labour to the shoeing of horses. Before the
cave a post was fixed, to which the country people tied
their horses to be shod; not omitting, however, at the
same time, to leave the regular price on a large stone that
lay close by. But the smith was never seen, and remained
undisturbed in his cave^
A rash young fellow, instigated by avarice, once ven-
tured to enter into the cavern. He lighted his mining-
lamp, took a bundle of twigs under his arm, and pro-
ceeded along under the cavern^s lofty, blackened roof.
He had now to choose between two ways, one right, the
other left, and fortunately chose the right-hand one ; but
his provision of twigs, which he had taken to mark his
way, was now exhausted ; yet return and procure a new
one he would not. At the end of the passage he came to
an iron door, which, however, gave him but little trouble ;
for at a couple of vigorous strokes with his hammer it
flew open ; but the current that rushed forth extinguished
his lamp. "Come in,^^ cried a shrill, clear voice, that
])ierced his very soul. Half stupified, he stept forwards.
From the arching of the roof and the side walls there
shone a wondrous light ; on the massive pillars and smooth
walls there flitted curiously quivering figures backwards
and forwards. The Metal-king, among a number of mis-
shapen spirits of the mine, with attendants on each side,
1 The reader of ' Kenihvorth ' will be here again reminded of "Wayland
Smith. See vol. ii. p. 119.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 125
sat on a long block of pure silver^, with a considerable
heap of shining gold before them. " Come in, friend/'
exclaimed the same shrill voice ; " sit down by side of me.''
There was a vacant seat there, but which did not seem to
please the intruder. " But why so timid ? Be bold, no
harm shall befall thee ; as thou hast come, so will we send
thee back, and will, moreover, give thee a good lesson
with thee on the way; if thou canst act according to
which, thou mayest save something; if otherwise, all may
be lost. Step up to this table.'' Pale as a corpse and
with tottering steps he advanced to the table. " Discon-
tent at the loss of thy goods and chattels," continued the
Metal-king, '^las misled thee to become dissolute, to
neglect thy work, and to seek after forbidden treasures.
Change thy stubborn disposition, and thou wilt turn stones
into gold; cease from arrogance, and thou wilt have in
thy coffers gold and silver in abundance. Thou desirest
to have immense treasures at once, without any co-opera-
tion of thine ; think only how perilous that is, and how
often it is fruitless. Dig well thy field and garden, culti-
vate thy meadow^s and hills, and thou wdlt gain to thyself
mines of gold and silver."
When the Metal-king had thus spoken, there was heard
a screaming as of ravens, and a hissing and crying as of
night-owls, and a storm-wind came rushing against the
man, and drove him forcibly and irresistibly forth, through
the dark, damp passages. When he again found himself
in the open air, he vowed to follow the old Hiiggelman's
counsel, but never again to visit him in his cave.
Some say that the Hiiggelman's evil inclinations again
returned, that he was no longer kindly disposed to the
country people, but often threw up in the air red-hot
ploughshares, thereby wantonly causing great terror among
the peasantry ; whence they concluded that the silver-mine
was nearly exhausted.
126 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
THE DEER-STEALER.
In the Harz there was once an incorrigible deer-stealer.
Whenever he knew that a head of game was anywhere to
be had, it was no longer safe. He had heard that in
Little Clausthalj at the hour of midnight, on Good Friday,
a roe with her fawn appeared, which no one dared to shoot ;
but he only laughed at the superstitious tale; and one
day, just before Easter, being in a jovial company, and
the conversation turning on the roe of Little Clausthal,
he declared his disbelief of the whole story, and turned it
into ridicule, saying : " Who will wager that I don^t shoot
both the roe and her fawn, and have them for dinner on
the first Easter-holiday ? '^ The company strove to dissuade
him from the attempt, but in vain ; so on the Good Friday
night he took his way to Little Clausthal. On reaching
the pond he observed a thick mist hanging over it, which
reached to the sky, and completely concealed the pond.
In the mist he heard sounds like the voices of many per-
sons whispering together, and strange forms seemed, from
time to time, to issue from it. Along the road also many
forms glided like unsubstantial shadows, all of which
vanished in the mist that hovered over the pond ; but he
augured no evil. He crossed over and stationed himself
at the end of the valley, behind a bush. Exactly at the
time there came the roe with her fawn, and he shot the
fawn. On seeing it fall, he sprang foi-wards, bound its
feet together, slung it across his shoulder, and returned.
AVhen he reached the spot where the pond now is again,
there stood, where the pond had been, a church, brilliantly
lighted; a loud singing was heard from within, with the
organ pealing forth at intervals. "This,*^ thought he,
'•^is most extraordinary; I will, however, just step in."
On entering, he found the church full of people, but all
of whom appeared as if they had been lying in the grave
for ages ; their garb, too, was of a fashion he had never
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIOXS. 127
seen. He greeted the congregation, but no one thanked
him, though some nodded, while others shook their heads,
made signs to each other, and pointed with their fingers
at him. The hghts at the altar and in the chandeliers
burned with a blue flame, and from the chalice on the
altar a blue light trembled forth. The priest then ap-
peared before the altar, but his speech was not that of
earthly men; it was as if wind and thunder filled the
whole edifice : from his mouth likewise there issued a blue
flame. At once a crash was heard in the church, as if the
very earth had split into shivers. The priest then pointed
at him and cried : " Accursed Sabbath -breaker ! '' and the
sprites placing themselves before him, howled forth the
same words. He rushed headlong out of the church,
stupified with fear and horror ; and as he hurried forth,
the door was slammed after him, so that his heels were
stricken off. He reached the road, and there continued
lying till morning. When he came to himself, there was
the pond as it had ever been, but the fawn was away. He
was sick to death, and could hardly drag himself home.
After lying nine days he was just able to relate his adven-
ture, and then died,
THE FREISCHUTZ.
In former times there lived in Zellerfeld a gamekeeper,
who was a Freischiitz. During his apprenticeship he
never had any luck in shooting, and on that account was
very sad and disheartened. One day as he was walking
quite inconsolable about his district, and almost resolved
to throw up his calling, he met a man clad in green, who
asked him why he appeared so disconsolate ? When the
young man had told him, he replied: ^^If that^s all, it
may easily be remedied, it only requires a little courage.
I will put you in the way, comrade. Go to the communion,
and keep the real body in your mouth, and when you
come out of church, take your piece, go into the wood,
128 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
nail the real body to a tree, and fire at it thrice in the
name of the devil. When you have so done, you may fire
away into the blue sky, and bring down whatever you
will *." The young man allowed himself to be seduced,
and in this manner became a Freischutz. In his character
of gamekeeper he w ould frequently show his dexterity by
w^ay of sport, and sometimes when in the long winter
evenings he had company with him, he would ask them
what they would eat ? a roasted hare, or fawn, or a
partridge ? he w^ould then take his gun, shoot out of the
window and say : " Go into the garden,^^ or, " go into the
yard,^^ or, "the street; there it lies.^^ And when they
went where he had said, there they found it. Not unfre-
quently, too, he would ask : " Where shall it lie ? '^ and
every time it would be found lying where they had said.
A person once requested him to teach him the art ; but
he W'Ould not until the other had sworn never to teach
any one besides, or to reveal how he himself had become
a Freischiitz. He continued his course for many years.
At last, w^hen lying on his death-bed, he started suddenly
up, rushed through the chamber like a maniac, crying :
" No, devil ! not yet ! thou shalt not have me yet ! " But
to what purpose ? In the midst of his crying he fell dowTi
dead ; and on examination it appeared that his neck had
been wrung, and around it there was a blue stripe like a
blue string. It was now^ that the man above-mentioned
related what had taken place betw^een him and the game-
keeper.
THE OLDENBURG HORN 2.
In the year 990 after the birth of Christ, Count Otto^
1 See vol. ii. p. 194.
2 Dobeneck's Volksglauben, i. 83, from Hamelmann's Oldenburger
Chronik, 1599, folio, where an engraving of the horn is given. See also
Grimm, D. S. 541.
3 In Kuhn and Schwartz (p. 280) the story is told of Count Anthony
Giinthcr.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 129
ruled over the county of Oldenburg. Having, as a good
sportsman, a great love for the chase, he set out, on the
20th July of the above-mentioned year, with many of his
nobles and servants, on a hunting party, and would, in
the first instance, seek for game in the forest of Bernefeuer.
The count himself being in chase of a roe, and following
it alone from the wood of Bernefeuer to the Osenberg, lost
both sight and hearing of his attendants. On his white
horse he stopt on the middle of the hill, and looked around
him for his greyhounds, but could neither see nor hear a
single one. He now said to himself (for the weather was
excessively hot), ^' Oh God ! if some one had but a draught
of cool water to give me ! " Scarcely had the count ut-
tered the words when the Osenberg opened, and out of
the cleft there came a beautiful damsel, well adorned,
attired in goodly clothing, with fine tresses parted on her
shoulders, a wreath of flowers on her head, and holding
in her hand a costly silver-gilt vessel in the form of a
hunting horn, of beautiful and cunning workmanship,
granulated and exquisitely finished, and soldered together,
and ornamented with many armorial bearings, that are
now but little known, and with strange, unintelligible
writing in the manner of the old antiques, and was alto-
gether beautifully and curiously wrought. This, which
was filled with some liquor, she presented to the count,
praying him to drink from it to refresh himself.
The count having received the silver-gilded horn from
the damsel, raised the cover and looked into it, but, on
shaking it, was not pleased with the beverage, or whatever
it might be, contained in it, and therefore declined the
damseFs proffered drink. Whereupon she said : " My
dear lord, drink only on my faith ; for it will do you no
harm, but will tend to your benefit ; " assuring him, more-
over, that if he would drink of it, it would go well with
him and his, and thenceforth with the whole house of
G 5
130 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
Oldenburg, and the whole country would thrive and
prosper. But, if the count would not believe her and
would not drink out of it, that there would in future be
no unity in the succeeding Oldenburg family. But as the
count placed no faith in her words, and, not without good
reason, had a great objection to di-ink, he swung the
horn, which he was holding in his hand, behind him and
poured out its contents, whereof a portion was splashed
over the white horse, the hair of which, where it was
sprinkled and wetted, fell off. On seeing this the maiden
desired to have back her horn, but the count, still holding
it in his hand, hastened down the hill, and on looking
round, observed that the damsel had again entered the
cleft ; then feeling a terror from what had befallen him,
he clapt spurs to his horse and galloped at full speed to
his followers, to whom he related his adventure, showing
them the horn, which he took with him to Oldenburg.
And this horn, because it was obtained in so wonderful a
manner, was regarded as a precious jewel both by him and
all succeeding princes of the house of Oldenburg, and is
even at this day preserved at Oldenburg, where I myself
have often seen it. By many it is praised on account both
of its workmanship and antiquity. So far the Oldenburg
Chronicler.
In " Notes and Queries," No. 61, there is the follo'^ing communication
from Sir Walter C. Trevelyan respecting this celebrated horn : —
" The Oldenburg Horn is preserved among the antiquities in the gallen."
of the king of Denmark at Copenhagen. It is of silver gilt, and orna-
mented in ])aste with enamel. It is considered by the Danish antiquaries
to be of the time of Christian I., in the latter half of the fifteenth centur}-.
There are engraved on it coats of arms and inscriptions, which show that
it was made for King Christian I., in honour of the three kings, or wise
men, on whose festival he used it at Cologne."
An inscription containing the names of the three * kings of Cologne '
seems not to have been unusual on horns of this description. (See vol. ii.
p. 15.) The so-called 01denl)urg Horn is now, as No. 1, preserved, among
other objects of interest at Copenhagen, in the Uttle palace of Rosenborg,
a structiure of Christian IV., after the designs of Inigo Jones.
NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS. 131
THE CUCKOO— THE PLEIADES.
According to an old tradition, the cuckoo was once a
baker^s man, and therefore bears a dun-coloured plumage,
appearing as if sprinkled with flour. In a time of dearth,
he had stolen from the dough brought by the poor people
to bake, and on drawing it thus diminished from the oven,
was wont to cry out: ^^ Gukuk ! '^ (see, see!). For this
our Lord, as a punishment, transformed him into a bird
that ever repeats that cry. Hence the rimes,
Kukuk, beckenknecht^ Cuckoo, bakerman,
sag mil- recht tell me right
wie viel jahr ich leben soil ? how many years I shall live?*
In Ditmarschen the question how long shall I live ? is
asked of the cuckoo in the following terms,
Kukuk in Hawen, Cuckoo in heaven,
Wo lang' schal ik lawen ? How long shall I live ?
Sett dy in de grone Grastyt Set thee in the green grass-tide,
Un tell myn Jaerstyt. And tell my years' tide.
In Lauenburg,
Kukuk, Cuckoo,
Spekbuk, Fat-paunch,
Ik bir dy : I pray thee :
Seg my doch, Tell me now.
Wo vael Joer How many years
Law'iknoch? I vet shall live ? ^
Of the origin of the Pleiades the following is related.
Jesus one day passing by a baker^s shop, whence the fumes
of new bread issued, sent one of his disciples in to beg a loaf.
The baker himself refused ; but his wife, who with her six
daughters was standing at a little distance, gave him a
1 Beckerknecht ? - Grimm, D. M. p. 641.
3 Mullenhofr, p. 509. See also vol. ii. pp. 83, 107, 269.
132 NORTH GERMAN TRADITIONS.
loaf secretly ; for which good deed they were placed in
heaven as seven stars ; but the baker was transformed to
a cuckoo, which proclaims the spring from St. Tiburtius
(April 14th) till St. John (June 24th), that is, as long as
the seven stars are visible ^ Traditions of the cuckoo are
numerous throughout Europe.
1 Grimm, D. M. p. 691.
NORTH GERMAN
CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS'.
SHROVETIDE.
In the neighbourhood of MelUn^ in the Altmark, they
flog each other out of bed with rods. The party flogged
must treat the flogger ; hence every one rises as early as
possible ^.
At Ilseburg in the Harz, on New Year's eve and Shrove-
tide, the youths go about the streets disguised and making
a noise. Cakes are also baked there, on the eve of Ash
Wednesday, of a triangular form. In some parts of
Thuringia, in the neighbourhood of Wallhausen, these
cakes are square, and are called kroppels. Throughout
the whole Mark pancakes are baked at Shrovetide.
About Altenburg and some places in the Harz, there is
no spinning on the eve of Ash Wednesday, lest Frau HoUe
should come. Some also say, lest they should have crooked
cattle. In some places they say that if they spin on
^ From Kuhn and Schwartz, unless otherwise expressed.
2 This custom prevails over all Denmark, where the children use a
particular kind of rod ornamented with gilt paper and rihands, and called
a Fastelavnsriis (Shrovetide rod).
134 NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
Shrove Tuesday night, between twelve and one o'clock,
Frau Hollc will come and sit on the hatchel. On the
distaff of those that will spin, they set a little doll.
In some places in the neighbourhood of the Kyff hauser,
they make — particularly the thrashers — a little figure,
carrying a flail, a rake, a bushel measure and a half-peck
measure. This they place on a table, and collect gifts for
it. The custom is now on the decline, the gens d' amies !
ha\ing pronounced it idolatry.
At Shrovetide sauerkraut and smoked sausage (Knack-
wurst) are to be eaten. Stendal.
At Basum, near Osnabriick, there is throwing at cocks
at Shrovetide.
CANDLEMAS.
When the sun shines on the altar on Candlemas day,
there will be a second winter.
Many think it not right to spin at Candlemas. Altmark.
EASTER \
Almost everywhere in the north of Germany there is
ball-play at Easter. At Landsberg on the Wartha, the
' Osterball ' is celebrated. The holyday begins with lead-
ing an ass, dressed out for the occasion, about the town,
with great rejoicings, having a rider on his back ; all then
proceed to the meadow, where the play takes place.
Dancing and other amusements conclude the holyday.
At Camern on the Elbe the young men alone and the
'nrls alone go the two Sundays preceding Easter, before the
» So called from the goddess Eastre, according to the testimony of Beda
De Temp. Rat. c. xiii.), who says : " apud eos (Anglorura populos) Aprilis
Esturmonath, qui nunc paschalis mensis interpretatur, quondam a dea
iUorum, quffi Eostra vocal)atur, et cui in illo festa celebratur, nomen
habuit ; a cujus nomine nunc ])aschale tcnipus cognominant, consueto an-
tiques observationis vocabulo gaudia novaj solemiitatis vocantes."
NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS. 135
houses of those who were married during the foregoing year,
the former demanding the ' Kliese/ a wooden ball, and the
latter the ' Brautball/ or Bride-ball, which is of considerable
size and made of leather. On the second day of Easter
they appear again before the door to receive the balls, and
repeat some doggrel verses. The ball-play is played with
the ^ Kliese,^ at which each one endeavours to drive the
ball from his hole. The bride-ball is struck backwards
and forwards until it is beaten to pieces.
At Warthe in the Ukermark the boys go about flogging
the girls on the first day of Easter, in return for which
they must give them fish and potatoes on the second feast-
day ; the boys providing the music for a dance.
In many places coloured Easter-eggs are given away,
particularly by their sponsors to the children. In some
places they are rolled down a declivity, when there is a
race after them.
Easter-fires are lighted in many places, particularly in
the North Harz (and sometimes in the South Harz), in
the Altmark, Brunswick, Hanover and Westphalia. They
are usually kindled on certain eminences and hills, which
thence bear the name of ' Osterberge.^ The manner of
proceeding varies according to circumstances : where there
are declivities, burning tar-barrels are rolled down. In
the mining towns of the Harz the fire is usually kindled
on Easter-eve, when a tree is commonly set up, surrounded
with brushwood and burnt. In Grund they run about
with torches.
If Easter-water is to be fetched, it must be only from a
running stream, and against the current, and between mid-
night and sunrise. In Swinemvinde they take it with the
stream, repeating certain lines. In the neighbourhood of
Woldegk in Meklenburg the maid- servants fetch Easter-
water on Easter-morning, or on the preceding evening
spread out linen cloths in the garden, and in the morn-
136 NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
ing wash themselves with the dew, rain, or snow that
has fallen on them. This preserves them from illness for
the whole year. In Sachsenburg on the Unstrut they
ride the horses into the water ; then they will not be ill
during all the year. The Easter-water has virtue only
when, while drawing it, the wind is due east.
If it rains on Good Friday, the turf will be parched up
three times during the year.
On Good Friday, after sunset, wreaths of elder should
be twined and hung up in the houses : they will then not
be struck by lightning. Neukirchen near Chemnitz.
On Good Friday one should not go into the garden, lest
it cause caterpillars. Stendal.
On Maundy Thursday green kale should be eaten.
In the neighbourhood of Cammin the village boys hunt
squirrels at Easter. They go into the forest, and when
they have found one, they drive it with sticks and stones
from tree to tree, until it falls down dead.
THE FIRST OF APRIL.
Among children it is everywhere the custom to make
April-fools. In Berlin the little ones are sent to the
apothecary's to fetch crabs' blood or gnats' fat. This
custom is prolonged to the end of the month.
MAY-DAY.
As soon as the first heralds of spring appear, the youth
of Berlin issue from the gates to fetch may-flies and butter-
cups, both of which they exchange for pins. The may-
flics they let fly again, singing,
Maikaferchen fliege, May-chaferkin fly,
Dein Vater ist im Kriege, Thy father 's in the war,
Deine Mutter ist in Pommcrland, Tliy mother 's in Poinerania,
Pommerhmd ist abgebrannt ! Pomerania is all burnt !
Maikaferchen fliege. May-chaferkin fly.
NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS. 137
In the North Harz they say that the witches must
dance away the snow on the Blocksberg on the 1st May.
Also, that on ^ Wolpern ^-eve the great giant dances on the
Blocksberg with the little dwarfs, that is, the devil with
the witches. In many places it is a saying, that the
witches return in the twelve days, then must the snow be
away.
When the girls on the 1st May have not yet turned up
their land, they get 'Walburgs^; that is, they make for
them a scarecrow with a spade in its hand, and set it in
the garden. Ukermark and Mittelmark.
If a man desires to know what sort of a wife he shall
have, he must ride on Walpurg^s night on a broomstick
to the stable, and knock thrice, then go to the pigstye and
hear what pig grunts, whether an old or a young one.
His wife will be old or young accordingly. Hassleben.
On Christmas night. New Year's night, and Walpurg's
night, no persons should go to bed, lest the witches should
come and bewitch them. Rauen.
On Walpurg's eve no cat may be teazed nor admitted
into a house : it may be a witch ^.
If a woman puts her petticoat on the hind part before,
she will be secure against witchcraft.
If any one goes out unwashed on a Friday, the witches
have power over him.
If any one wishes to see the witches, he must take an
e^^ with him that was laid on Maundy Thursday and
place himself in a crossway. Or he must go into the
church on a Good Friday, but hasten out before the bless-
ing. In Bergkirchen a man did so once, and saw three
witches, one with a water-pot, one with a spinning-wheel,
and the third with a corn- sieve, who all carried on their
work during the sermon^.
1 Harrys, ii. p. viii. - See vol. ii. p. 275. No. 54.
138 NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
At Christmas^ New Year and Michaelmas, a sithe or
something sharp should be laid in the fodder ; the witches
can then do no harm to the cattle. Mellin.
In the night of the 1st May and on Michaelmas day
the witches ride to the Blocksberg, and on the two fol-
lowing Sundays they go to church, where any one may
see them, if he has with him rye from three fields ; he will
then see some with butter-tubs, some with milk-pails on
their heads. But he must hasten out of the church before
the blessing, else they will bewitch him in one way or
other. Gussefeld in the Altmark.
On the night before the 1st May the witches ride on
the tails of magpies to the Blocksberg ; for which reason
no magpies are seen on the 1st May, as they are not yet
returned. Gussefeld.
If any one wishes to see the witches, he must place him-
self in a crossway on May-night, cut a piece of turf, and
lay it on his head; they can then do him no harm^
Scharzfeld.
When lumps of feathers are found in the bed, it is said
that the witches are sitting in it. They come on May-
day before sunrise, and have often been seen in the Her-
ring-market at Em den. When a witch issues forth, her
body lies in bed as stiff as a flint-stone. Moorhausen
near Aurich.
In Saterland a certain fungus is called witches' butter ^^.
WHITSUNTIDE.
In Sannen thcy cut down willow -branches a fortnight
before Easter, and then a wrestling-match takes place;
the victor is proclaimed king, and receives from the little
ones, that are unable to mount a horse without help,
bridle money and mounting money.
1 See vol. ii. p. 189. - See vol. ii. p. 106.
NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS. 139
In Stapel the Wliitsuntide-willow is to be cut on the
thh'd Easter-day. At Whitsuntide there is a foot-race;
the conqueror is declared king ; the last in the race must
carry the tarred rags with which the whips are smeared.
Afterwards there is a horse-race^ at which the king in the
foot-race is first in the row, as the place of honour. Who-
ever falls from his horse must carry the tarred rags.
In Blumenhagen, near Vierraden, the stable-boys smack
their whips in cadence on Whitsun-eve. On the first
festival-day the so-called " Kantenreiten " takes place. A
little loaf (Week) of white bread is set on a pole, and the
one who first reaches it is king. The last must carry the
tarred rags. The smacking of whips on Whitsun-eve is
usual in many other places. In some villages the race is
for a hat, handkerchief, etc.
In Saterland shooting at a bird is practised. He who
shoots down the last is declared king, and receives a deco-
rated hat, which he wears at the dance in the evening, and
preserves till the next year. A similar shooting takes
place in many other parts. In Hanover and Brunswick
they shoot at a target ; the best shooter is king, and nails
the target to the gable of his roof.
In the villages of Brunswick everything at Whitsuntide
is decorated with may (birch) ; sometimes also a May-
bride adorned with flowers is to be seen, and in some
places they make a May -king, who is completely concealed
in sprigs of May. What they have collected they take to
the Whitsuntide-field and there eat it. A May-king is
usual in many other places.
ST. JOHN'S, OR MIDSUMMER, DAY.
In the South Harz and in Thuringia the so-called St.
John^s fires are common. In Edersleben, near Sanger-
hausen, the proceeding is as follows : A high pole is set
up, on which a tar-barrel is placed, having a chain drawn
140 NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
through it that reaches to the ground. When it is on
fire they swing the barrel round the pole amid great re-
joicing. In the neighbourhood of Bai-uth^ down to recent
times, St. John's fires were lighted, as well as in the
Catholic parts of Westphalia.
In Gandersheim a tall fir is set up, which is completely
stript to its summit; on this they hang handkerchiefs
and the like, to be climbed for.
In Sachsenburg, on St. John^s day, the children make
a ^ Rosenstock.' At night they barricade the street with
a rope, on which they hang wreaths of birch and flowers.
They also set birch-branches before the house and raise a
large tree, round which they dance. Whoever will pass
through the street must pay something, out of which the
music and the birch are paid for. In the parts south of
the Fiirstenwald, there is, about the same time, a shooting
for a hat, or a 'Rosenbaum.' A pole is raised, on which
are streamers, a wreath and a crown, also handkerchiefs
and the like, to be climbed for. The best climber up the
' Rosenbaum' is rewarded with a bouquet in his hat.
In the neighbourhood of the Kyff'hauser the girls throw
at cocks.
In the 'Jantjenacht' (St. John's eve) the witches hold
their meeting, at which they eat the berries of the moun-
tain-ash. Moorhausen and Nordmoor in E. Friesland.
Treasures burn especially on St. John's night, and those
who know how can raise them. Ukermark.
On St. John's day there should be fetched nothing green,
it will cause cancer. Vegetables should be gathered the
evening before. Mellin in the Altmark.
On St. John's day, between twelve and one o'clock,
there grows in many places a hand out of the ground,
which they call St. John's hand. Whoever possesses such
a hand is lucky, as its stroke is good against all kinds of
fluxions and other maladies. It is not to be confounded
NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS. 141
with the so-called beards-foot, a plant which also grows on
St. John's day, and the roots of which have likewise the
form of a hand. Bi^odewin in the Ukermark.
The Divining rod (Wiinschelruthe) must be cut from a
hazel backwards on St. John's day, and must then be bound
on a child that has been baptized, and so receive the name
of John. Gramzow in the Ukermark.
On St. John's day, between eleven and twelve o'clock,
the beech-nuts open. If it then rains in them, the mast
will fail; if the weather is fine, the mast will be good.
The nuts then close up again. Neighbourhood of Hessen-
Oldendorf.
If any one wishes to have a goblin (Kobold), he must
go, on St. John's day, between twelve and one at noon,
into the forest, to an ant-hill, on which he will find a bird
sitting, to which he must speak certain words, when it will
transform itself into a little fellow and jump into a bag
held ready for the purpose, and in which he must carry
him home, where he will perform all the work committed
to him, with the utmost speed. Perleberg.
On St. John's day children should be weaned; then
they will have good luck. Stendal.
On St. John's day, between eleven and twelve at noon,
a burdock root should be dug up. Under it will be found
a coal, which is good for many things. Stendal.
HARVEST CUSTOMS.
Formerly it was the custom at harvest to leave a bunch
standing on the field, round which the reapers danced,
throwing up their caps and crying : " Waul, Waul, Waul,"
or "W61, W61, W61." Hageburg and environs of the
Steinhudersee^ .
Throughout the whole Ukermark, and in many of the
parts adjacent, the custom prevails at the end of the rye-
^ See Grimm, D. M. pp. 142, 143. \V6l is no doubt a corruption of
W6d (Woden).
142 NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
harvest, and, in some places, at the carrying in of every
kind of grain, to make a puppet out of the last sheaf, and
either to carry it home rejoicing with the last load, or let
it be borne to the village by the girl who is the last ready
with her binding. In accordance with the one or the
other of these usages, the custom is called bringing the old
man (den ollen brengen), or it is said of the girl, she has
the old man (dei het den ollen). Customs nearly akin to
the above-mentioned prevail in several other places ^
At Grochwitz, near Torgau, it is a saying at Bartholo-
mew tide: "Now Herke is abroad, now we must get in
our v/inter corn, else it will be spoiled.^^
At Heteborn, when the flax was not housed at Bar<
tholomew tide, it was formerly the saying : " Frau Harke
will come.'^
About Halberstadt they say that in the dog-days the
crows do not drink.
When the rye is housed the storks depart, and all
assemble on the Blocksberg, where they bite one of their
number to death. Brill near Aiirich.
ST. MICHAEL'S DAY.
On St. Michael's day no work is done in the field. Rauen.
Nor is there any spinning. Altmark.
ST. MARTIN'S DAY.
In many places a roasted goose is the orthodox fare on
St. Martin's day.
ST. ANDREW'S EVE 2.
On St. Andrew's eve the girls can cause their future
sweethearts or husbands to appear to them in a dream.
1 For old harvest customs in England, see Brockett's Gloss, of N. Country
Words, voce Melldoll, and HallhveU's Archaic Diet, voce Mare.
2 This title is from Harrys, ii. p. 25. The matter is from the Upper
Harz, and oral.
NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS. 143
going to sleep^ they repeat the
St. Andrew's eve is to-day,
Sleep all people,
Sleep all chikh'en of men.
Who are between heaven and
earth,
Except this only man,
Who may be mine in marriasre.
For this purpose, before
following rimes :
Andreas-Abend ist heute,
Schlafen alle Leiite,
Schlafen alle Menschenkind,
Die zwischen Himmel und Erde
sind.
Bis auf diesen einzigen Mann,
Der mir zur Ehe werden kann.
If a girl desires to know in what neighbourhood the
man dwells, who is one day to be her husband, she must go,
between eleven and twelve o'clock at night, in perfect silence,
into the garden, shake the hedge, and repeat these words :
Erbzaun ich schiittel Dich,. Old hedge, I shake thee,
Ich riittel Dich. I jog thee.
Wo mein fein Liebchen wohnt. Where my gentle lover dwells,
da regti sichs.
Kann er sich nicht selber melden.
So lass nur ein Hiindchen bellen.
there let there be stirring.
If he cannot announce himself.
Then only let a Httle dog bark.
Then will a dog be heard to bark in the neighbourhood
where the future lover dwells.
The future husband may be also made to appear on St.
Andrew's eve by the following process. At nightfall let
a girl shut herself up naked in her sleeping room, take
two beakers, and into one pour clear water, into the other
wine. These let her place on the table, which is to be
covered with white, and repeat the following words,
Dresmes
My dear Saint Andi-ew !
Let now appear before me
My heart's most dearly beloved.
If he shall be rich,
He mil pour a cup of wine ;
If he is to be poor.
Let him pour a cup of water.
Mein lieber Sankt Andi-es !
Lass doch vor mir erscheinen
Den Herzallerliebsten meinen.
Soil er mir werden reich,
Schenkt er mir eine Kanne Wein ;
Soil er mir werden arm.
So schenke mir eine Kanne Wasser.
rege?
144 NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
or,
Bettspond, ich trete Dich, Bedstead, I tread thee,
Sankt Andres, ich bitt Dich : Saint Andrew, I pray thee :
Lass doch erscheinen Let now appear
Den HerzallerUebsten meinen. My heart's most dearly beloved.
Soil ich mit ihm werden reich, If I shall be rich with him,
Kommt er mit dem grlinen Zweig ; He will come with a green
bough ;
Soil ich mit ihm werden arm. If I shall be poor with him,
Kommt er mit dem Knaust Brod He will come with a crust of
im Arm. bread in his arm.
When that is done, the form of the future husband will
enter at the door and drink out of one of the cups. If he
is poor, he will drink of the water ; if rich, he will take
the wine.
An over-curious girl once summoned her future husband
in the above manner. Precisely as the clock struck twelve
he appeared, drank of the wine, laid a three-edged dagger
on the table and vanished. The girl put the dagger into
her trunk. Some years after there came a man from a
distant part to the town where the girl dw^elt, bought pro-
perty there, and married her. He was in fact the iden-
tical person whose form had already appeared to her.
Some time after their marriage, the husband chanced to
open the trunk, and there found the dagger, at the sight
of w^hich he became furious. " Thou art then the girl,"
cried he^ ^^ w^ho years ago forced me to come hither from
afar in the night ; and it was no dream. Die therefore ! "
and with these words he thrust the dagger into her
heart.
Hence if the future husband, when he appears, lays
such a thing on the table, it must be destroyed ; for if he
again sees what he then brought with him, he will at
least bear a grudge towards his wife, for having by her
spell caused him so much anxiety and pain.
NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS. 14-5
If any one wishes to know whether he (or she) will die
in the following year, let him (or her) on St. Andrew's
eve, before going to bed, make on the table a little pointed
heap of flour. If on the following morning the heap has
fallen asunder, the party will die.
On St. Andrew's eve it may also be learned which of
the persons present love one another, or will one day be
united. For this purpose a vessel with pure water is
placed on a table, and on the water are laid little cups of
silver foil inscribed with the names of the persons whose
future is to be ascertained. These little cups are called
' nappelpfang ' (cup-pennies) . If a young man's cup comes
so near to that of a girl, that they both seem to cleave to-
gether, they will make a match. By the nappelpfiings it
may also be seen, whether a loving pair will one day be
legally united ; in which experiment one of the cups re-
presents the bride, one the bridegroom, and a third the
priest. If the three come together so that the priest stands
before the other two, the lovers may cherish the hope of
being wedded.
On St. Andl'ew's eve young girls may ascertain what
coloured hair their future husbands have. For this object
there formerly prevailed, and probably still prevails, the
so-called hair -snatching. If a girl wishes to know the
colour of her future husband's hair, she must take hold of
the latch of the door and thrice call out : '' Gentle love, if
thou lovest me, show thyself." She must then quickly
open the door a little way, and make a rapid grasp out in
the dark, and she will find in her hand a lock of her future
mate's hair. But she must be quite alone in the house,
and make the trial at night between the hours of eleven
and twelve, and unknown to any one.
CHRISTMAS.
The custom is wide-spread among the country people
146 . NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
throughout the whole north of Germany of having a man
on Christmas eve to enter the apartment, disguised with a
long beard, and enveloped either in fur or in pea-straw,
who asks the children whether they can pray, and, if they
stand the trial, rewards them with apples, nuts and ginger-
bread (pepper-cakes) ; and, on the other hand, punishes
those that have learned nothing. In the Middle Mark the
name most generally given to this personage is De hele
Christ (the Holy Christ), or Knecht Ruprecht. In other
parts he is called Hans Huprecht, which is sometimes cor-
rupted into Rumpknecht ; in Meklenburg he is known as
M Clas (Rough Nicholas) ; in the Altmark and as far as
East Friesland, as Bur and Bullerclas. He sometimes
carries a long staff and a bag of ashes, and has little bells
on his clothes. With the bag he beats those children who
have not learned to pray, and is for that reason called also
Aschenclas. Sometimes he rides about on a white horse,
and not unfrequcntly has with him a sort of Jack Pudding,
as an attendant. Accompanied by fairies, as they call
them, or men dressed as old women, with blackened faces,
he appears in some places, and is occasionally attended by
one enveloped in pea-straw, who is called the bear, and
led by a long chain. In many places the ' Holy Christ,'
usually a young girl clad in white—who causes the
youngsters to pray, and the rider on the white horse, ap-
pear as distinct persons. In some townis in Westphaha
the white horse makes its appearance at Christmas or
New Year's day. In Osnabriick it is called the Spanish
horse. .
On the isle of Usedom Ruprecht goes about at Christ-
mas, making the children pray; but under this denomi-
nation three persons are comprised, one of whom bears a
rod and a bag of ashes, another bears the ' Klapperbock,'
which is a pole on which a goatskin is hung, surmounted
by a goat's head of wood, to the under-jaw of which a line
NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS. 147
is fastened, whicli passing through the upper one runs
through the throat, so that when pulled by the bearer, the
two jaws make a rattling together. With this Klapper-
bock those children that do not know how to pray are
beaten. Last of all the third person appears riding on a
white horse. In all these places Christmas presents, wrapt
in almost countless coverings, are thrown at the door of
the party to be gifted, the giver crying out : ^ Julklapp.^
In the neighbourhood of Boitzenburg in the Ukermark,
Winter and Summer formerly went about at Christmas,
contending with each other for precedence. It was usually
two old women by whom the contest was represented.
Summer carried a sithe and a rake. Winter a flail, with
which each indicated the labours to be performed in those
two seasons. A peasant of Hardenbeck still retained in
his memory the following fragment of their respective
speeches :
Winter.
Ich bin der Winter stolz, I am the winter proud,
Ich baue Briicken ohne Holz. I build bridges without wood.
Summer.
Ich bin der Summer fein, I am the summer fine,
Ich mahe mein Korn, I mow my corn,
Und harke es wohl auf. And rake it well together,
Und fahr es in die Scheun. And carry it into the barn.
Winter.
Ich di'esche das Korn und fahr I thrash the corn and caiTy it to
es zur Stadt, the city,
Dass jeder seine Nahrung davon That every one may have his sus-
hat. tenance therefrom.
Whoever is desirous of knowing how the weather will
be in the coming year, must on Christmas eve take an
onion, cut it through, and out of it make twelve cups, put
salt into every one, and then place them in a row. The
months corresponding to those cups in wdiich the salt on
h2
148 NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
the following morning is found wet, will be wet, and the
contrary. Querfurt.
If a girl desires to know of what condition her future
lover will be, she must on Christmas night listen at the
large kettle walled into the stove (Ofenblase). If the water
in it makes a roaring noise, he will be a smith ; and so,
according to the various tones of the water, the several
trades may be determined. Edersleben near Sangerhausen.
If straw be drawn at Christmas from the roof of an in-
herited dwelling, and taken to the barn and thrashed, and
grains of corn be found in it, it betokens good luck for
the coming year. lb.
At Elliehausen, near Gottingen, they lay the fodder for
the cattle at Christmas out in the open air : then will the
cattle thrive well.
In the whole country between Adelepsen and Minden it
is believed that the hop becomes green on Christmas
night, and comes forth even from under the deepest snow,
but that afterwards nothing more of it is to be seen. The
same behef prevails in other places.
In the territory of Miinster ^ the custom of icindoiving
still exists. At Christmas the young men enter through
the window to their sweethearts, and continue with them
all night. The parents do not disturb them, knowing it
will be a match. If the girl is averse to the suitor, she
drives him out of the window with a broom. From Del-
inenhurst.
In Berlin the boys go about on the ' Weinachtsmarkt '
selling what they call Waldteufel. These are cylinders
of paScboard open beneath, but above fastened with horse-
hair to a wooden handle, which when swung round, send
forth a humming sound. Wooden rattles and paper flags
are sokl at the same time.
• Also in Ilolslcin and Danish Fricsland, tUougli not limited to any par-
ticular season of the vcar.
NORTH GER3IAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS. 149
At Christmas green kale should be fetched from the
garden of the neighbour three doors ofF^ and some of it
given to every beast in the stalls. It protects them against
witchcraft. Camern.
If at the Christmas festival a woman boils green kale,
takes the ladle with which it was stirred^ and goes with
it^ concealed under her apron, to the church-door, just as
the priest is saying the Pater noster, she will discover who
are the witches of the place, and that by their extraordi-
nary, but otherwise invisible, head-gear. But she must
stay for a moment only, else she runs the risk of being
threatened and persecuted by the evil one. Camern,
All domestic utensils must at this time be kept in safe
custody : not one of them should be lent out, though they
are occasionally asked for by those who would injure the
owner ' . Camern.
If any one, with moderate fodder, will have sound and
fat horses, let him take a bundle of hay, go with it on
Christmas night at midnight thrice round the church, and
give it to the horses. Camern.
THE NEW YEAR.
In many places, particularly in the Harz, and westward
as far as the Wescr, it is the custom on New Yearns eve to
fire guns, which they call shooting the new year ^.
In some parts of East Friesland they bake at the new
year Niijarskaukjes, a sort of thin cakes pressed into a
mould of iron, in which the figures of a horse and other
animals are represented.
In the Saterland it is the custom for the young men to
bring into the house of the girls they wish to court, and
also for neighbours to each other^s houses, a ^ Wepelrot '
(called also a ^ Tunsker ') with these words :
1 By witchcraft ? 2 jhis custom is universal also in Denmark.
150 NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
Hier brang wi jo ene wepelrot ; Here bring we you a wepebot ;
woi jii mi wet reke, if you will give me something,
so moije jo nit lang bedonkje. you must not long eonsider.
Saying these words they usually fire off a pistol, and
throw the Wepelrot into the house, and then run off with
all speed. The people of the house then run after the
thro\yer and endeavour to catch him. If they overtake
him, he is brought back, and must either ride on the
kettle-hook or drink water mixed with soot (rotwasser).
Afterwards they entertain him. The Wepelrot is made of
a willow staff, on the top of which a garland in the form
of a wheel is fastened, the spokes of which protmde
through the circumference, and on their points have apples
stuck. In the middle of the wheel there is a broad orna-
ment of gold foil, from which issue over the whole garland
thick, white, ray-like bunches of willow shavings.
In the neighbourhood of Gorlitz and in the Ukermark,
on New Yearns eve, they lay straw-bands at meal-time under
the table, on which they place their feet. When the meal
is over, one of the party creeps on all-fours under the table^
and another sits upon him and draws forth the straw-bands.
These he takes into the garden and binds them round the
trees : they will then bear well.
On New Yearns eve quite fresh flax must be put on the
distaff, and on New Year's morning a brand-new shirt of
newly-spun linen should be put on. On New Yearns eve
also there must be no winding, else the reel would turn
incessantly the whole year through. Kirchhoitzen near
Hudemuhlen.
On New Year's day one must cat millet or herring ;
then one will have money throughout the year. Others
eat of nine (or seven) different dishes, but among which
there must be ' MohnstriczeP.' Stemlal.
1 A food made of pounded poppy-seeds mixed with white bread and
milk.
NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS. 151
Whoever sees his shadow without a head on the eve of
St. Silvester, will die in the next year.
TWELFTHTIDE.
In many places it is said there may be no spinning at
this season, but that feathers must be plucked. At Pech-
iile, near Luckenwalde, they say the tubes of the plucked
feathers should be preserved, as they are good against
moths, bugs and other vermin.
In the country between Hameln and Minden, and in
other places, it is said that no dung should be carried out
during the twelve days of Christmas (or Twelfths) ; else
the cattle will be sick in the following year, or wolves will
be drawn to the stall.
In some parts of Oldenburg it was formerly said that
no wheel should turn during the twelve days; conse-
quently there was neither spinning nor any carting out of
dung. In some few houses all this is observed even at
the present day. In such houses no sewing goes forward ;
but if it is indispensable, they go to a neighbour's.
In some places on the left bank of the Weser they say,
that whoever spins or winds on Twelfth-day eve, or during
the Twelfths, will get, instead of yarn, black-puddings or
sausages. In other places they say, that those who spin
during the Twelfths spin toads into the house.
Brooms bound during the Twelfths protect against
witchcraft. When the cattle are first driven out in spring,
such a broom should be laid on the threshold over which
they have to pass; then nothing evil can harm them
throughout the year. If a weasel has caused the udder
of a cow to swell, it must be stroked thrice crosswise with
such a broom, which must then in silence be laid under
the crib ; and so the cow will get well. Prignitz.
In the Twelfths thread should be spun, and broken
152 NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
arms or legs be bound five or six times round with it,
then they will speedily become sound. Grochwitz.
In the Twelfths a piece of yarn should be spun and
wound the contrary w^ay, through which if a child that is
unquiet be put thrice it will be quiet. Or it may be put
as many times through the steps of a ladder, or through
its mother^s wedding-dress. Useclom.
Into yarn spun during the Twelfths no moths will
come. Liepe near Rathenoiv.
In the Twelfths neither baking utensils nor wood may
lie before the oven. Wi^edenhagen in Meklenburg.
In the Twelfths no peas should be eaten. Ukermark,
Meklenburg, Thuringia.
In the Twelfths, but especially on Christmas- day, green
kale, pig^s head and pudding (sausage) of lights should
be eaten. Ukermark.
At Quatzow in Meklenburg the prohibitions during the
Twelfths are still rigidly observed. Many animals may
not be called by their right name, and, instead oi fox, one
must say long-tail; instead of mouse, floor-runner (Bon-
loper), etc.^ Whoever neglects so to do pays a line, which
is afterwards spent in drinking.
In the Havelland it is a saying, that in the Twelfths
they have a calendar for the whole year; i. e. as the wea-
ther is during the twelve days, so it will be the whole year.
Those who w^ar linen made from yarn spun during the
Twelfths will be devoured by the wolf. Usedom and TJ^ollin.
Whatever is dreamed during the Twelfths will come to
pass in the twelve months of tlic year. Arnstadt.
If hens are fattened with peas during the Twelfths, they
will lay many eggs. Camern.
Animals, unless known to you, are not to be trusted
during the Twelfths, as the witches often assume their
forms, particularly those of cats, dogs, three-legged hares,
1 See vol. ii. p. 83.
NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS. 153
etc.^ in order to steal unobserved into houses and seek out
their booty. If a person makes three crosses with his
hand against them, he is safe from them. Camern.
To protect cattle against harm in the Twelfths, some-
thing of steel should be concealed in their provender, a
sithe or the like; they should also be fed with stolen
kale. Grabow in Meklenburg.
In the Twelfths magpies should be shot and burnt to a
powder, which is good for the ague. Lausitz.
SUPERNATURAL BEINGS OF TWELFTHTIDE.
In the greater part of the north of Germany the belief
is not yet wholly defunct, particularly among the pea-
santry, of the wandering of certain supernatural beings
during the tvv elve days of Christmas ; although, in place
of the old heathenish idea with regard to such beings, we
have now usually the harmless threat only of certain
punishments for those who, by working, especially by
spinning, violate the injunction to keep this time holily.
The name, however, of these beings is, although often in
mere joke, still combined with the threatened punishment,
but the belief in them is now almost everywhere regarded
as superstition ; and not unfrequently, instead of the old
prohibitory formula, a facetious one is used, like the fol-
lowing : " Those who do not spin in the Twelfth may not
wind on the thirteenth. ^^
In Usedom and Wollin they say, " the Waud will come,"
when all is not spun off.
In the Twelfths Fru Gode makes her tour and befouls
the distaffs of those who have not spun all off on Twelfth-
day. Neighbourhood of Neu-Strelitz as far as Robel. In
the territory of Schwerin the same is said of Frii AYod ;
in Thymen and Godendorf, of Fru Was, or Fru Wiisen^
In the Twelfths Fru Gaue makes her tour at the head
^ See pp. 74, 75, and vol. ii. p. Ill, No. 48, and p. 270, No» 10.
H 5
154 NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
of the Wild Hunt ; on which account people keep their
doors shut, and avoid going out at night, from the fear of
meeting her^ Grabow in Meklenhurg.
Fru Wagcn (in some places Fru Goden, Goed, Goik,
Godke, Godsche) comes in the night and befouls the flax,
if it be left on the distaff at night during the Twelfths.
Mechoiv, on the frontier of Meklenburg, etc.
In some parts she is called the Fuik, the Fui, or the
Fricke, in others, Fru Herken.
In some villages on the Huy they say that when be-
tween the old and the new year anything is left on the
distaff, the ^ Martche ^ or ^ Martchen ^ will come.
THE MART— MARTE— MARTEN— NACHTMART (THE NIGHT-
MARE).
Under all these denominations is designated that spec-
tral being which places itself on the breast of the sleeping,
depriving them of the powers of motion and utterance.
Its approach is heard like the gnawing of a mouse, or the
soft tread of a cat. If any one puts on inherited gloves
and seizes it, he can hold it fast ; or if every aperture in
the room be stopt, as soon as the sighing and groaning of
the sleeper begin, the Mart will be caught.
A powerful remedy against the pressui-e of the night-
mare is to cross the arms and legs before going to sleep.
In the pines branches are often found quite curled
together, having almost the appearance of nests. AVhen
it rains, persons should be careful not to pass under such
branches ; for whoever is touched with a rain-drop from
one of these nests will in the night be oppressed with the
^Murraue^/
Of persons whose eyebrows grow together they say he
(or she) is a ^lurraue^.
^ See p. 74. - The Wendish name for the nightmare.
3 See vol. ii. p. 169.
NORTH GEHMAN CUSTOMS AND SUrERSTlTIONS. 155
Murraues are both male and female, and are always
Sunday^s children ^ If a Murraue presses any one, he
must say he will give it something ; it will then come on
the following day and fetch the present. Braunsdorf near
Filrstenwald.
The Murraue creeps up the body of the sleeper. Its
weight is first felt on the feet, then on the belly, and lastly
on the breast, when the sufferer can no longer move a
limb. If the patient by chance surmises who it is, he
must instantly address it by name ; it must then make its
retreat. Teupitz.
If the sufferer supposes it to be an acquaintance, lie
needs only to call it by name, and it will appear bodily.
It is good against the nightmare, when going to bed,
to turn one^s shoes with the toes outward from the bed^.
When there are seven boys or seven girls in a family,
one is a nightmare, unknown to him- (or her-) self ^.
DRAK—KOBOLD— FIRE-DRAKE.
The Drak appears as a fiery stripe passing through the
air, as large as the pole that is placed across a cartload of
hay. If a person on seeing him does not get under shelter,
he will be befouled by him, and not get rid of the stench
till long after. Swinem'tlnde. He brings those persons
something that have made a compact with him. Bar sing-
haiisen on the Deister.
The Drake (Trach) is as large as a cauldron, and a per-
son can very well sit in him, and fly with him to any
desired spot. Bockswiesen near Grund.
The Kobold appears also as a fiery stripe with a broad
head, which he usually shakes from one side to the other.
If he enters a house and the serving-man takes a wheel
off the wagon, he must burn himself out of the house.
1 See vol. ii. pp. 203, 272, No. 33.
2 See vol. ii. p. 272, No. 34. ^ See p. 29.
15G NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
On tlic earth the Kobold appears like a black cat. Alt-
mark.
The Drake carnes treasures through the air. If a per-
son sees him, he must cry: '^ Halb part \" he will then
bring him something. But he must take care to stand
under a roof, or the Drake will cover him with filth, which
he will not again get rid of. Hassleben near Prenzlau.
The Drake or Kobold traverses the air as a blue stripe,
and brings corn. If a knife or a fire-steel be cast at him,
he will burst, and must let fall that which he is carrying.
Pechille near Luckenwald.
The Drake has a head as large as a milk-pail, and a
long tail. Murow.
The Drake carries treasures through the air like a bu'd ;
whoever possesses him, he will lie with them in a cask like
a calf. But the Kobold curries the horses, helps to draw
when the cart is heavy, and takes care in general of every-
thing belonging to the stable and carts. W. Buchholz.
The Kobold brings luck to those that possess him. The
Drake brings all kinds of things, as cream, cheese, etc. A
person must consign himself to him with his own blood.
Sachsenburg near Oldislehen.
The Puks, Kobold, or Drake is a little fellow with red
jacket and cap, who may be seen passing through the an-
as a fiery stripe. Westliche Ukermark.
The Furdrak (Fire-drake) or Lutche Ole is the evil one.
The Stepke, Furdrak or Mertche are one. Dalle on the
Liinebury Heath.
If you desire to secure the Drake and compel him to
yield up a part of that which he is carrying with him, two
persons must place their legs across each other's, in silence,
or draw oiF the fourth wheel of a wagon, and then hasten
to get under a roof, else it will go badly.
In the Saterland they call the Kobold Alrun \ a deno-
1 See Grimm, D. M. p. 1153.
NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS. 157
minatioii which occurs also in East Friesland. According
to the account of a woman in Nordmohr, he is a little
fellow scarcely a foot high, whom they enclose in a
^ spind ^ ' and feed with biscuit and milk, whereby he be-
comes so strong that he can carry a whole load of rye in
his mouth to his master. In Neustadt-Godens it is a
saying, when one has luck at play, that he has an Alrun
in his pocket.
The Bier-esel inhabits the cellar. He gets the beer
into the house, rinses the bottles and glasses, washes down
the tables and the like ; for all which a can of beer must
be set for him at night ; else he would be angry and break
everything. Grochwitz near Torgau.
DWARFS.
The most usual name for these in the north of Germany
is ' Unnererdschke ^ (Subterraneans). In the Harz they
call them '^Querje,^ 'Querxe ^ (Dwarfs). In Scharrel, in
the Saterland, they are called ^ Olkers,^ and are said to be
buried in the old grave-mounds, for which reason the ves-
sels found in these are called Olkerspott (Olker's pottery).
They are also called ^ Bargmankes ' (Hill-mannikins), or
' Erdmankes ^ (Earth-mannikins) .
When the dwarfs have stolen a child and left a change-
ling in its stead, this must npt be touched with the hands,
but the cradle must be overturned, so that it fall out, then
with an old broom it should be swept out at the door,
when the dwarfs will come and bring back the stolen
child. Changelings are not more than twenty years okP.
Gorlitz.
In Bergkirchen the matting of the horses^ manes is
ascribed to the Subterraneans.
1 A measure in Liineburg equal to an eighth of a schefFel or bushel.
2 Quite at variance with the preceding accounts. See pp. 43-15, and
vol. ii. pp. 174, 175.
158 NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
JACK 0' LANTERNS.
In the south Altmark they call the Jack o' lanterns
'Dickepoten.' If a person prays as soon as he sees one,
he draws it to him; if he curses, it retires ^ In some
parts they are called Huckepoten, and Tuckbolde, and are
said to have been persons that removed land-marks -. In
the neighbourhood of Magdeburg they call them Liichte-
mannekens. To cause them to appear, it is sufficient to
call out " Ninove, Ninove/^
Jack o^ lanterns mislead persons, though they are some-
times serviceable. In many places they call them land-
measurers ^, and are seen like figures of fire, or running
to and fro with a red-hot measuring-rod. These are
persons who have falsely sworn away land, or fraudulently
measured it, or removed land- marks. They are frequently
said to be the souls of unbaptized children, that have no
rest in the grave, and must hover between heaven and
earth '*. They are also called running fires, and wild fires.
THE NIX.
The Nickelmann or Hakelmann sits in the water with
a long well-hook, with which he drags children down,
when they approach too near the water^s edge. Thale.
When the water-fowl is heard to pipe in the Bode, some
one must be drowned ; the millers in Thale, therefore, as
soon as they hear it, throw in a black hen.
When the tranquillity of the water is disturbed, either
by angling or with nets, the Nix may frequently be heard
to laugh and clap his hands ; for somebody will be
drowned. Teupitz, Gorlitz.
THE \VILD HUNTSMAN.
Many assert that the Wild Huntsman and his train
consist of the ghosts of deceased huntsmen.
^ See p. 85. 2 See vol. ii. p. 97.
3 See p. 11, and vol. ii. p. 211. * See vol. ii. p. 211, note '.
NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS. 159
The nocturnal huntsman carries his head under his arm,
has many dogs with him^ and as he goes takes the people
along with him. If any one calls to him to bring him a
piece of meat, he will find it at his door in the morning ;
but he can never rid himself of it again, unless by desiring
the huntsman to bring salt ^, when the meat will disappear,
and the hunter himself will not return. Gbrlitz.
In the Twelfths the Helljager hunts on the earth, at
other times he rides through the air. All doors should
therefore be shut early, else three dogs will run into
the house and stay in it till the next Twelfths ^. Moor-
hausmoor.
THE DEVIL.
Never to miss one's aim in shooting, one must repeat :
Komm teufel und halte mir das Come, devil, and hold for me the
thier, game,
Ich gebe dir meiiie seele dafiir. I'll give thee my soul in return.
Or the communion-bread should be taken out of the
mouth, and a gun loaded with it ^. Swinemunde.
^^ The devil has thrashed peas upon him,^^ is said of one
whose face is pock-marked.
MARRIAGE.
When a bridal pair is going to church, it is the custom,
before they leave the house, to throw a firebrand on the
threshold over which they must pass. The mother of the
bride strews dill in her shoes, saying :
Dille lass nicht Wille, Dill cease not from will,
Salz lass nicht nach. Salt relax not.
The bride and bridegroom also strew dill and salt in their
shoes, as a protection against witchcraft. When before
1 Seep. 93. ^ See pp. 59, «y.
3 See p. 127.
160 NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
the altar, they must stand as near together as possible, so
that no one can see between them>. Rauen,
Marriages should take place in the full of the moon ;
then everything afterwards will be in full. Tuesdays and
Fridays are particularly dedicated to marriages. Stendal.
At Marthe, near Templin, on a weddmg-day, it was for-
merly the custom for three men, disguised as women, but
with blackened faces, to come at midnight and play all
sorts of pranks, and at last make the bride dance with
them. A nearly similar custom existed also in other
places.
On the wedding-night all the old pottery is to be thrown
out before the door of the bride : the more shards the
more luck. Rauen.
In the Saterland it was formerly a custom to put a ladle
into the hands of a bride, as soon as she entered her hus-
band's house, and to lead her thrice round the fire.
BIRTH AND BAPTISM.
When there is a new-born child in the house, nothing
ought to be lent out; else the child will have nothing
hereafter. Mellin.
In some towns it is a common practice on the birthday
of a child to give it a cake with a life's light placed on it,
which must not be extinguished, but allowed to burn to
the end.
In the cradle of a new-born child there should be laid
orant^ , blue marjoram, black cumin, a right shirt-sleeve
and a left stocking ; the ' Nickert ' then cannot harm it.
Pechiile.
If a child is born with a mole, it must be stroked with
1 See vol. ii. p. 109, No. 10.
2 Antirrhinum (snapdi'agon), or, according to others, niarrubium (horc-
hound).
NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS. 161
the hand of a dead person of the other sex : as the dead
decays, so will the mole pass away. Or go in the moon^s
increase to a crossway, look at the moon, at the same time
stroking the mole with the hand, and say,
Alles was ich sehe nimmt zu. All that I see increases,
alles was ich streiche nimmt ab. aU that I stroke decreases.
Sioinemunde.
One ought not to go with an unbaptized child to any
one : it brink's misfortune to the house. Steyidal.
o
DEATH AND BURIAL.
If the master of the house dies, one must go into the
garden and shake the trees, saying : '^ The master is dead,
the master is dead," else they will decay. In like manner
a person must go to the beehive, knock, and repeat the
same words, else the bees will fly away. Rauen.
When a person dies, the window must be opened, that
the soul may fly out. If it is a man, a comb, a razor, and
soap should be laid in the coffin. Rauen.
If a person dies in a house, there should be no baking
in it on that day. Rauen.
If new-baked bread has a crack, one of the family will
die soon. Rauen.
If a person is sick, it should be noticed, after supper,
what direction the smoke of the candle, when blown out,
takes : if towards the church, the person will die. Swine-
milnde.
The soul of a person that dies on shipboard passes into
a bird: when it appears, it is to predict the death of
another.
If it be wished to know whether an absent person is
alive or dead, lay a piece of bread and a coal on the table,
and exactly between both hold a darning needle suspended
by a thread. If it moves more towards the bread, the
162 NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
person is well; if towards the coal, he is dead. In a
similar manner it may be ascertained whether a sick person
■will recover or die. Rohrberg in the Altmark.
WOUNDS, DISEASES, ETC.
If a person has wounded himself, let him cut in an up-
ward direction a piece off from a branch of a fruit-tree,
and apply it to the recent wound, so that the blood may
adhere to it, and then lay it in some part of the house
where it is quite dark, when the bleeding will cease.
Mellin.
A charm against pain from a wound {Swinemiinde) .
Christus lag unci schlief, Christ lay and slept,
seine Wunden waren tief, his wounds were deep,
sie kellten nicht, they pained not,
sie schwellten nicht, they swelled not,
also sollen diese Wunden auch so shall these wounds also be.
sein.
I, N, G. d. V. u. s. w. In the name, etc.
Another :
Heil sind die Wunden, Whole are the wounds,
heil sind die Stunden, whole are the hours,
heihg ist der Tag, holy is the day,
da Wunden und W^ehtag schach. when the wounds and illness befell.
I, N, G. u. s. w. In the name, etc.
When a limb has been amputated, the charmer takes a
twig from a broom, presses the wound together with it,
wraps it in the bloody linen, and lays it in a dry place,
saying :
Unserm Herm Christus seine The wounds of our Lord Christ,
Wunden,
die werden nicht verbvmden, they are not bound,
aber diese W^mden, die werden but these wounds, they are bound,
verbunden.
I. N. G. u. s. w. In the name, etc.
Swmemilnde.
NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
163
If any one has a cut-wound, let it be bound with adhe-
sive plaster, cooled with vinegar and water, and the follow-
ing words be uttered :
Du Blut des Lebens halte an, Thou blood of life, stop !
wie Christus stand am Kreuzes- as Christ stood at the cross's
stamm, stem,
halt an du Blut die Ader dein, stop, thou blood, thy vein,
weil Christus stand am Kreuzes- because Christ stood at the
stamm. cross's stem.
I. N. G. u. s. w. In the name, etc.
Swinemunde.
To stanch blood [Swinemunde).
Ich ging iiber eine Briicke, I went over a bridge under which
worunter drei Strome hefen, three streams ran,
der erste hiess Gut, the first was called Gut,
der zweite hiess Blut, the second was called Blut (blood),
der dritte hiess Eipipperjahn ; the third was called ' Eipipper-
jahn ' ;
Blut du sollst stille stahn. blood, thou shalt stand still.
I. N. G. u. s. w. (Dreimal.) In the name, etc. {thrice.)
Another [Mellin) :
Es gingen di-ei Jungfern 'en There went three maidens the
hohlen Weg, hollow way,
die erste nahm das runde, the first took the round,
die zweite nahm das trull, the second took the ' trull,'
the dritte chiickt es nieder, the third pressed it dovm,
dass es nicht komme wieder. that it may not come again.
I. N. G. u. s. w. In the name, etc.
A Latin spell for bad eyes, quoted by Griram (p. 1196), closely resembles
this and also some of the following ones : " Juvat siihnectere incanta-
tiouis formulam, qua in Marchia Brandenburgensi atque adjacentibus re-
gionibus in ophthalmia curanda uti solent anus decrepitai, insanos ritus
deperientes, quam quidem factis variis gesticulationibus ac digitis ante
dolentes oculos ter decussatim motis, rauco susnrr amine scmel atque iterum
emutire consuescunt, ita autem habent : * Ibant aUquando tres puella in
via virente, prima noverat reniedium aliquod contra suffusioneni oculorum,
altera noverat aliquid contra albuginem, et tertia profecto contra inflam-
mationera, eneque sanabant una ratione omnia.' " In nomine Patris, etc.
A¥hcn a person has an ague, he must go to the church-
164 NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
yard, and there take a bone from a grave. This, between
eleven and twelve o^ clock at night, when all is quiet, he
must burn in silence, and drink the coal in water: he
will then get rid of the fever. Nahmitz.
When a person has an ague, he must go into the forest,
walk round an oak, and say :
Goden abend du gode olle, Good evening, thou good one old,
Ick brenge di dat warme un dat I bring thee the warm and the
kolle. cohl.
The fever will then depart. Mittelmark.
Or he may go to a river, dip the right foot in, and say :
In dies Wasser tret ich, In this water step I,
Christi Bhit anbet ich, Christ's blood adore I,
dies Wasser und Christi Blut this water and Christ's blood
ist f iir das sieben und sieben- is for the seventj-seventh fever ^
zigsterlei Fieber gut. ^ good.
This must be spoken thrice in the name of God, and
water at the same time taken from the river and drunk :
the fever will then go away. Swinemwide.
To write away an ague. Write the following on a leaf :
Der Fuchs ohne Lungen, The fox without lungs,
der Storch ohne Zungen, the stork without tongue,
die Taube ohne Gall the dove without gall
hilft fiir das sieben und sieben- help for the seven and seventieth
zigsterlei Fieber all. fever all.
If this leaf be worn round the neck, the fever will keep
away.
For the ^Zahnrose^ (Erysipelas in the teeth). (Rauen).
Es kam eine Jungfer aus En- There came a maiden from En-
gelland ^, gcUand,
eine Rose trug sie in ihrer a rose she carried in her hand,
Hand,
])is die Sonne untergang, when the sun went down,
die sieben und siebsigsterlei the seven and seventieth zalmrose
Zahnrosc versclnvaud. disap})carcd.
^ A fever probably that was to be allowed to continue for seventy-seven
days before it was cliecked by the spell. - Angeln ?
NORTH fiERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS. 165
For the ' Ililge ^ (eruption) and the Rose (erysipelas) it
is good to stroke them downwards, blow thrice on the
cross, and say :
Es gingen drei Jungfern aiif There went three maidens on the
grlinen Wegen, green ways,
die eine pfliickt die Bknnen ah, the first gathered flowers,
die zweite pfluckt die Liljen ab, the second gathered hlies,
die dritte trieb das Hilge unde the third drove away the ' hilge '
die Rose ab. and the rose.
Swinemunde.
To cure the Rose. Silently, and as well if after sunset,
the wise man enters and examines the Rose, w^hether it is
a running, ' brand ^^ or white Rose, and says accordingly :
Brand (laufende, weisse) Rose ' Brand ' (running, white), Rose, I
ick bote " di, expel thee,
Ira namen Gottes verstrikst du in God's name betake thee hence.
di.
I. N. G. u. s. w. In the name, etc.
At the same time making the sign of the cross three times
over the diseased part. This he must repeat on three several
days. It is particularly good to do it on Fridays. Camern.
To allay the ^Hilg' (MS. from Swinemunde),
Es gingen (bei Jungfern an There went three maidens to a
einen Berg, hill,
Der eine hat es schmal, der the one had it narrow, the other
andre hat es platt. had it flat.
I. N. G. u. s. w. In the name, etc.
To allay the tooth-ache (MS. from Sivinemilnde) .
Du sollst nicht weh thun, Thou shalt not ache,
du sollst nicht schellen, thou shalt not break (scale, shell
off"),
du sollst nicht schwellen, thou shalt not swell,
du sollst nicht ritten, thou shalt not torture (tear, rend),
du sollst nicht splitten, thou shalt not si)lit,
du sollst nicht weh thun. thou shalt not ache.
I. N. G. u. s. w. In the name, etc.
1 Inflammatory. - Mhg. buersen = wegschaffen, stillen.
166 NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
When a person has tooth-ache, let him go and complain
to a tree^ by preference to a peartree. This is to be done
by taking hold of the tree, going thrice round it, and
saying :
Peartree, I complain to thee,
three worms sting me ;
the one is grey,
the second is blue,
the third is red,
I would wish they were all three
dead.
In the name, etc.
For the ringworm or tetter {Paretz) . Go to a yellow
willow, stroke the tetter thrice with one of its branches^
and say :
The tetter and the willow,
they would both contend,
the willow, it won,
the tetter it vanish'd.
In the name, etc.
Birnbaum, ich klage dir,
drei Wiirmer die stechen mir ;
der einer ist grau,
der andre ist blaue,
der dritte ist roth,
ich wollte wiinschen sie waren
alle di-ei todt.
I. N. G. u. s. w.
Die Zeter und die Weide,
die wollten beide streiten,
die Weide, die gewann,
die Zeter, die verschwand
I. N. G. u
Or [Swinemiinde) ,
Die Flechte und die Weide
gingen beid' im Streite,
die Weide, die verging,
die Flechte, die yerschwindt^
The ringworm and the willow
both enter'd into strife,
the willow it decay'd,
the tetter disappear'd.
Or,
Der Mond und die Flecht
die liegen beid' im Recht,
die Flechte und der Mond
fingen beide an zu gehn,
der Mond, der gewann,
die Flechte, die verschwand
The moon and the ringwonn,
they were both at strife,
the ringworm and the moon
began both to go,
the moon he 2 won,
the ringworm (hsaj)pcar'd.
For a fire (MS. from Swinemunde).
Es gingen drei Ileihgen wohl There went three holy men over
iiber das Land, the land.
> verschwand
2 See vol. i. p. 5, note -.
NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS. 167
(la begegnet ilinen der hoUische
Feueibrand.
Er sprach : Du sollst weichen,
und der Schaden soil sclileiclien.
I. N. G. u. s. w. (Dreimal.)
there they met with a hellish
fire.
He said. Thou shalt withdraw,
and the harm shall slink away.
In the name, etc. (thrice.)
To allay the pain of a burn (MS. from Swinemunde) .
There went three holy men * *
Es gingen drei heiligen Wehtag^
auf einen schmalen Weg,
der eine pfliickt das Laub vom
Baum,
der andi-e pfliickt das Gras vom
Weg,
der di-itte nahm die Wehtag weg.
I. N. G. u. s. w.
upon a narrow way,
the one pluck'd the leaves from
the tree, \
the second pluck'd the grass from
the way,
the third took the malady away.
In the name, etc.
When a person has burnt himself^ he must stroke the
part upwards thrice^ and say : [Swinemunde.)
Wie hoch ist der Haben,
wie roth ist der Krebs,
wie kalt is die Todtenhand,
damit stille ich den Brand.
I. N. G. u. s.w.
As the heaven is high,
as the crayfish is red,
as the dead hand is cold,
therewith still I the burn.
In the name, etc.
For the Stot (disorder of the eye, sty ?). Take in
silence a little stone from the field, press it on the eye, and
lay it afterwards in the place whence it was taken. Du-
ring the operation say thrice :
Es gingen drei Jungfern auf There went three maidens on the
griinen Wegen, green ways,
die eine hob die Steine aus den one hfted the stones out of the
Wegen, ways,
die zweite hob das Laub vom the second gather'd the leaves
Baura, from the tree,
die diitte hob das Stot aus dem the third removed the ' stot ' from
Auge. the eye.
I. N. G. u. s. w. In the name, etc.
Swinemunde.
Wehtag is, no doubt, an error of the scribe or press.
168 NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
To charm away the gout. Let the patient completely
strip himself before sunrise or after sunset, and say :
Die' reissende, laufende Giclit,
ich besclnvbre (hch bei dem hbch-
sten Gericht,
ich beschwore dich bei dem hoch-
sten Mann,
der dir die reissende, laufende
Gicht stillen kann.
Thou tearing, running (flying)
gout,
I conjure thee by the highest tri-
bunal,
1 conjure thee by the highest
man,
who the tearing, nmning gout
can allay.
For dizziness (MS. from Swinemunde).
Der Himmel ist hoch, t
die Wolken sind hell, t
so vde sich der Himmel t zer-
theilt, t
zertheilt sich der Schwindel im
augenblick und schnell. t
I. N. G. u. s. w.
To stanch blood^.
Auf unserm Herrn Gott sein
Haupt,
da bliihen drei Rosen,
die erste ist seine Tugend,
die zweite ist seine Jugend,
die dritte ist sein Will.
Blut, steh du in der Wunde still,
dass du Aveder Geschwiire
noch Eiterbeulen gebest.
I. N. G. u. s. vv.
Or,
Bloet sta still !
na uns Ilerr Christus syn Will.
Im namen Gottes des Vaters und
Sohn :
nu steit dat Bloet schon.
The heaven is high,
the clouds are clear,
so as the heaven dissolves,
shall the dizziness dissolve in a
moment and quickly.
In the name, etc.
On the head of our Lord God
there bloom three roses,
the first is his virtue,
the second is his youth,
the third is his will.
Blood, stand thou in the wound
still,
so that thou neither sore
nor abscess givest.
In the name, etc.
Blood, stand still !
after our Lord Christ's will.
In the name of God the Father
and Son :
now the blood aheady stops.
Du?
The following rimes are from Miillenhoff, pp. 511, sqq.
NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
169
Or,
Ich sage dir, Blut, stehe still,
es ist Maria ihr Will,
es ist Maria ihr Begehr,
steh du mir nun und immermehr.
I. N. G. u. s. w.
For (Mord) apoplexy.
Mord, du liest aer daelschlaen :
unse Herr Christus segt,
du scliast wedder upstaen.
Or,
Uns Herr Christus un de Moert,
de giingen tosamen deer en enge
Poert.
Uns Herr Christus de ge-
wann,
de Schlag und de Moert
verschwand.
I say to thee, blood, stand still,
it is Mary's ^ill,
it is Mary's desire,
stand thou now and evermore.
In the name, etc.
Apoplexy, thou hast struck her
down :
our Lord Christ sayeth,
thou again shalt rise.
Our Lord Christ and the apoplexy
went together through a narrow
gate.
Oui* Lord Christ won,
the stroke ^ and apoplexy
disappear'd.
For the gout. Take hold of an oak, or a young shoot
of one already felled (Ekenhessen), and say :
Oak-shoot, I to thee complain,
all the torturing gout plagues me.
I cannot for it go,
thou canst stand it.
The first bird that flies above
thee,
to him give it in his flight,
let him take it with him in the air.
In the name, etc.
Ekenhessen, ik klag dy,
all de ryten Gicht de plagt my.
Ik kaun dar nich faer gaen,
du kannst damit bestaen.
Den eersten Vagel, de sewer dy
fliigt,
den gif dat mit in de Flucht,
de naem dat mit in de Lucht.
I. N. G. u. s. w.
For the rickets.
Engelsche Krankheit verswinn,
wie de Dau an de Siinn,
wde de Kukuk vor den Sa;ven-
stern.
English malady disappear,
like the dew in the sun,
like the cuckoo before the seven
stars''.
Paralytic.
2 The ursa major, or Charles's wain.
I
170 NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS,
For tetters.
De Hecliel un de Flechel, The hatchel and the ringworm,
de gingenallbeidacwer enStecheP. they both went over a stile.
De Ileehel de gewunn, The hatchel won,
and the ringworm disappear'd.
un de Flechel verswunn.
I. N. G. u.
In the name, etc.
For the tinea or scald head (Barmgrund). Fetch water
in silence^ wash the head with it lukewarm, saying,
So standen drei Madchen wohl
vor dem Brunn,
de ene de wusch, de ander de
wrung'.
Darin ist verdi'unken en Katt un
en Hunt,
damit verdiTw ik dy den Barm-
grunt.
Or, more intelligibly. To eradicate this eruption, let
a person wash himself in a puddle, in which it is usual to
drown dogs and cats, and repeat the formula : " In this
water, in which many a cat and dog has been drowned, do
I mitigate the ' barmgrund^/ ''
For the erysipelas (Helldink).
So stood three maidens before
the well,
the one, she wash'd, the second,
she wrung.
Therein were di'own'd a cat and
a dog,
therewith I drive away thee, the
barmurund.
Ik segg : Helldink, Helldink,
du schast ni st'aken,
du schast ni briiken.
Helldink, Helldink,
du schast ni kellen,
du schast ni schwellen.
Dat schast du ny doen,
Dat schast du ny doen.
Or,
Peter unPaul gingen sewertMoer.
Wat begegen iier daer?
Ilelldmk, Helldink—
" Helldink, wo wuUt du bin?"
" Na'n Dorp."
1 A.-Sax. stigel.
I say : Helldink, Helldink,
thou shalt not prick,
thou shalt not break.
Helldink, Helldink,
thou shalt not torment,
thou shalt not swell.
That shalt thou never do.
That shalt^iou never do.
Peter and Paul went over a moor.
"What met them there ?
Helldink, Helldink.
" Helldink, whither wilt thou?"
" To the village."
2 Grimm, D. M. p. cxlv. 1st edit.
NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS. 171
"Watwulltdudaer?"
" Kellen im schwellen uii wee
doen."
*'Dat schast dii ny doen.
"Dat befiiel ik dy in Gottes
Namen."
Or,
Hildink, ik ra' dy.
Ra' ik dy nicli seer,
so jag' ik dv nocli vael meer.
I. N. G. u. s. w.
"What wilt thou there?"
" Torment and swell and cause
pain."
" That thou slialt not do.
" That I command thee in God's
name."
Helldink, I counsel thee.
If I counsel thee not much,
yet I di'ive thee away much more.
In the name, etc.
This is to be said thrice, after a pause thrice again, and
after a second pause thrice again. At each time the diseased
part is to be blown on crosswise.
Or:
instead of blowing crosswise, fire may be struck with flint
and steel in a cross direction :
Hier schrief ik enen Rink
mit en stalern Messer.
De Rink is sunt,
dat Hildink verschwiind.
Or,
Rode Ros' un witte Ros',
dunkle Ros' un helle Ros',
verswinn,
wie de Dau vor de Siinn.
For the ^Bellrose/
Petrus und Paulus
gingen net Kruet te soken ;
daer wollen se de Ros' mit ver-
teenS
de Kelleros', de Schwelleros',
de Stakeros', de Brakeros',
deBlatteros';
Here mark I a ring
with a steel knife.
The ring is whole,
the heldink has disappear'd.
Red rose and white rose,
dark rose and light rose,
vanish,
like the dew before the sun.
Peter and Paul
went out plants to seek ;
there they would take the rose
away with them,
the paining-rose, the swelling-
rose,
the pricking-rose, the breaking-
rose,
the leafy rose i
For verzieheu ?
I 2
172 NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
awer aliens woUen se damit ver- but they would take away all
teen. with them.
I. N. G. u. s. w. In the name, etc.
For an excrescence. Lay the finger on it but without
looking at it, and say :
Was ich seh, das wachst, What I see, that waxes,
was ich [nicht] seh, das vergeht. what I see not, that decays.
I. N. G. u. s. w. In the name, etc.
For warts there is but one remedy ; they are to be got
rid of only in moonshine. During the moon's increase
go into the open air, look steadfastly at the moon, and
stroke with the hand over the warts, saying these words :
Was ich ansehe, nimmt zu, What I look on increases,
was ich iiberstreiche, nimmt ab. what I stroke over decreases.
For a whitlow. Not to be uttered too rapidly, and only
once each time.
De Adel un de Stoel, The whitlow and the stool ^
de gungen beid an enen Poel. they went both to a pool.
De Adel de verswunn. The whitlow it disappear'd,
de Stoel de gewunn. the stool it won.
I. N. G. u. s. w. In the name, etc.
For a pain in the finger.
Ik rad' en Baten I ad^-ise a cure
mit Ileisterknaken, with magpies' bones,
mit Kreieufciten, with feet of crows,
schal dy de Weedag' uten Finger that shall drive the pain out of
staken. thy finger.
For a sprained foot.
Ik hoi' myn Foet in'n Katten- I hold my foot in the cat's way,
gang' 2,
so stil ik wol den Gnirrband ^. and so I still the spram.
1 Purgatio alvi ? " Through which the cats can leap.
3 Correctly Knirrhand.
NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS. 173
For a speck on the eye.
Daer seten dre Jiingfern an den There sat three maidens in the
Weg, way,
de een de puest dat Sant uten Weg, one blew the sand out of the way,
de ander de puest dat Lov van- the second blew the leaves from
nen Boem, the tree,
de driirr de puest dat Mael von the third blew the speck from
Oeg. the eye.
I. N. G. u. s. w. In the name, etc.
For a sprained wrist. At sunrise lay the arm, from the
elbow to the point of the finger, flat on the threshold, and
remain within the house. Let the charmer then take an
axe, and place himself before the door, saying : " I chop,
I chop, I chop ! " The patient is then to ask : '^ What
dost thou chop ? " The operator will answer : " The
sprain." Let the patient then take the axe, and stroke
the arm with it crosswise thrice, in the name of God. The
axe is then to be restored to its place in silence, and the
affliction will subside. Swinetnunde,
At Rauen, near Fiirstenwalde, it is said, when a person
has a violent headache, he has the perverse, or black, elves.
The remedy is, to bind a cloth round his head at night,
with which he is to sleep, and on the following morning
to go with it to a wise man, who will charm the cloth ;
the elves will then depart. Besides the black elves, which
are the worst, there are also red elves and white elves ; but
whatever their colour may be, the malady shows itself
chiefly in causing a loss of memory.
If a child by much crying has got a rupture, take it to
a young oak, which split in two lengthwise, and draw the
child through the split. Then bind the parts thus rent
asunder together, and plaster the rent over with loam. If
the oak continues growing and the wound heals up, the
rupture will also be healed. Rauen. Delmenhorst.
This method of curing a ruptured child was also known in England.
White, in his History of Selhorne, informs us that, " in a farm-yard, near
the middle of the village, stands at this day (an. 1789) a row of pollard
174 NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
ashes, which, by the seams and long cicatrices down their sides, manifestly
show that, in former times, they have been cleft asunder. These trees,
when young and flexible, were severed and held open by wedges, while
i-uptured children, stripped naked, were puahed through the apertures,
under a persuasion that, by such a process, the poor bal)es would be cured
of their infirmity. As soon as the operation was over, the tree, in the
suffering part, was plastered with loam, and carefully swathed up. If
the part coalesced and soldered together, as usually fell out, where the
feat was performed with any adroitness at all, the party was cured ; but
where the cleft continued to gajie, the operation, it was supposed, would
prove ineffectual. We have several persons now living in the village, who,
in their childhood, were supposed to be healed by this superstitious cere-
mony, derived down, perhaps, from our Saxon ancestors, wuio practised it
before their conversion to Christianity."
Tetters and warts disappear if touched with the hand
of a corpse. Stendal.
When you have eaten eggs the shells are to be broken^
else you will get the ague. Mark.
This is also done in England, and for the sound reason, that the witches
may not use them as boats. The same injunction is current likewise in
Belgium, but whether from the same prudential motive is not stated.
HOUSE, FIELD, ETC.
On entering a new dwelling the first thing to be pro-
vided is bread; you will then always have your bread
there.
If you bring corn-flowers with you into the house, the
bread will grow mouldy. Mellin.
What a person dreams the first night in a house will
come to pass.
On Saturday night there should be no spinning after
sunset. Altmark and Meklenburg. Else the mice will
nestle in it. Near Wolfenbuttel.
On Thursday evening there should be no spinning, nor
any dung carried out on that day. Altmark.
In planting trees the planter should grasp them with
both lutnds, and somebody should stand by : they will
then bear well. Stendal.
NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS. 175
The first fruit of a tree should be gathered into a large
sack, and some left on the tree ; then it will always heur
well. Stendal.
Peas should be sown only on Wednesdays and Satur-
days ; else the birds will carry them off. Stendal.
Millet sown after sunset will not be eaten by the birds.
Camern.
When the cattle go for the first time to the pasture^
a piece of turf should be laid before the door ; they will
then not get the grass distemper. Mellin.
That the witches may have no power over a newly
bought beast, it must be dragged into the stall backwards ;
and in order that it may thrive, the first time it goes to
pasture, earth should be put into its mouth, which it
should be made to swallow. Mellin,
When unruly beasts will not be driven to market or
elsewhere, pluck at three several times some hairs from
their eye-lashes and put them in your pocket ; they will
then go tamely. Camern,
When beasts are driven to pasture for the first time,
strew sand or straw before the stall-door, so that the
animals must tread on it. The traces made by them, if
thrown back into the stall, will cause them to find yard
and stall again without help. An axe and a broom laid
crosswise on the threshold of the yard-gate will have the
same effect, and moreover protect them against witchcraft.
Camern.
A person, on entering into service, should immediately
get a piece of wood in the new abode, wrap it in a rag or
morsel of paper, and wear it for three days under the arm :
the party will then have a kind master and mistress
throughout the year. Camern.
If anything is stolen from a person, to discover the
thief, take a family psalm-book, open it and place on it a
family key, saying : '^N. N. has stolen it ^^ (naming the
thing) ; the other (N. N.?) will answer : " No, he has nor
176 NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
stolen it/' If such is the case, the key will remain mo-
tionless j but if he has really stolen it, the key will move
from its place. Rauen.
If anything is stolen from a person, he must take an
inherited book, and in it bind an inherited key, then hold
it on two fingers and say : " Inherited book (Erwbok) I
ask thee, has A. B. stolen my linen (or whatever else it may
be ) ? or C. D. ? '^ At whichever person's name the book
turns, that is the thief. Havelland.
To fix a thief (MS. from Swinemunde) .
Unser Heiland Christus Jesus, Our Saviour Christ Jesus, lie went
der ging in den Garten, into the garden,
derheiligeuEngelundderJung- to await the holy angels and the
frau Maria zu warten ; Vu-gin ]\Iary ;
da kamen die Diebe und wollten there came the thieves and would
das Kindlein stehlen, steal the little child,
das konnten vier und zwanzig whom four and twenty legions of
Legionen Engel nicht ver- angels could not conceal.
hehlen.
" Binde, Petrus, binde, " Bind, Peter, bmd,
eilend und geschwinde, hastily and quick,
dass der Dieb uns stehe stille that the thief may stand still
wie ein Stock, a^ a stock,
und schreie ^^'ie ein Bock. and cry like a goat.
Binde, Petrus, binde. Bind, Peter, bmd,
dass der Dieb uns stehe stille that the thief may stand still
und alle Sterne zahle, and count all the stars,
die an dem Ilimmel stehen. that stand in heaven.
Binde, Petrus, binde. Bind, Peter, bind,
dass der Dieb uns stehe stille, that the thief may stand still,
dass meine leiblichen Augen that my botUly eyes may see him,
ihn sehen,
und meine leibhche Zunge ihn and my boddy tongue speak to
spreche. ^"°^-
Das gebiet' ich dir Dieb im That I command for thee, thief, in
'Namen des heiligen Bartus, the name of St. Bart,
Der aller Kornlein Meister ist." who is of eveiy gram the master.
This spell is to be uttered after sunset, the utterer, at
the same time, going three times round the place to which
he supposes the thief will come. WhUe so doing he must
NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
1
not look about, and must stop exactly at the point from
which he started, and then say thrice : " In the name of,"
etc. On the following; morning the thief will be found
fast bound to the spot. He must then loose him with
these words : " Hear, thief, I hereby release thee. In the
name of," etc. But this must be done before sunrise,
else the thief will turn black, and die within a year.
To fix a thief (oral from Swinemunde),
Unsre Mutter Gottes, die ging
wohl iiber Land,
sie nahm ihr liebes Kind bei
der Hand ;
da kamen drei, drei, drei Diebe,
die wollten ihr das Kind stehlen,
sie schrie :
" Sanct Peter bind', Sanct Peter
bind', Sanct Peter binde."
*' leh habe gebunden mit Gottes
Hand,
mit meinen eignen Handen,
mit Todeslianden,
mit eisernen Banden,
dass Dieb und Diebin sollen
stehn,
imd nicht von der Stelle gehn.
Sie sollen stehen w^e ein Stock,
und sehen wie ein Bock,
zahlen alle Sterne, die am Him-
mel stehn,
und alle Tropfen, die in das
frunde Meer gehn."
Om' mother of God was going over
the land,
she took her dear child by the
hand;
then came three, three, three
thieves,
who would steal the child from
her, she cried :
" Saint Peter bind. Saint Peter
bind. Saint Peter bind."
" I have bound with God's hand.
with my own hands,
with death's hands,
with iron bands,
that male and female thief shall
stand,
and not go from the place.
They shall stand as a stock,
and look like a goat,
count all the stars that stand in
heaven,
and all the drops which go into
the deep sea."
The release is in the following words
Stehst du hier in Teufelsband,
so gehe hin in Gottes Hand ;
ich stosse dich von mir mit
meiner linken Hand.
I. N.G.u. s.w.
As thou standest here in the devirs
band,
so go hence into the hand of God ;
I thrust thee from me with my
left hand.
In the name, etc,
i5
178 NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
Another form ^ :
Mutter Maria reiste wolil iiber
das Land,
sie hat ihr liebes Kind bei der
Hand.
Da kameu die Diebe und woll-
ten stehlen.
Da sprach sie zu St. Peter :
" Binde ! "
St. Peter sprach : " Ich habe
gebunden
mit eisernen Banden, mit Gottes
Han den.
Du, Dieb (und Diebin), sollst^
gebunden sein.
Wiederum soUst du stille stehen
und nirgends hingehen.
Du soUt^ stehen als ein Stock
und Starr sehen als ein Bock,
und ziihlen all das Gras, das
auf der Erde wachst.
Wiederum sollt du stille stehen
und nirgends hingehen,
sollt stehen als ein Stock und
Starr sehen als ein Bock,
und zahlen die Sterne, die am
Himmel stehen.
Wiederum sollt du stille stehen
und nirgends hingehen ;
du sollt stehen als ein Stock imd
Starr sehen als ein Bock,
und zahlen den Sand, der
iiegt am Meeresgrund.
Wiederum sollt du stille stehen
und nirgends hingehen ;
du sollt stehen als ein Stock und
Starr sehen als ein Bock,
bis ich dir mit meiner Zunge
Urlaub gcbe.
Mother Maiy was journeying over
the land,
she had her beloved child by the
hand.
Then came the thieves and would
steal.
Then spake she to St. Peter :
" Bind ! "
St. Peter said : " I have bound
with iron bands, with God's
hands.
Thou, thief (and thiefess), shalt
be bound.
Again thou shalt stand still and
nowhere go hence.
Thou shalt stand as a stock, and
look staring as a goat,
and count all the grass that
grows on the earth.
Again thou shalt stand still and
nowhere go hence,
shalt stand as a stock, and look
staring as a goat,
and count the stars which stand
in heaven.
Again thou shalt stand still and
nowhere go hence ;
thou shalt stand as a stock, and
look staring as a goat,
and count the sand that lies on
the sea's ground.
Again thou shalt stand still and
nowhere go hence ;
Thou shalt stand as a stock, and
look staring as a goat,
until I with my tongue give
thee leave.
From Miillenhofl", p. 517.
2 Sic.
NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS. 179
Den Himmel gebe icli dir zu The heaven I give thee for thy
deiner Hiitte, hut,
und die Erde zu Schuhen deiner and the earth for shoes to tl)y
Fiisse. feet.
Amen! indesTeufelsNamen." Amen ! in the devil's name."
Against firc^ :
Brant, Brant,
du geist aewer Moor un Lant.
Mit myn gesegnete Hant
rade ik dlissen Brant.
I. N. G. u. s. w.
Or:
Petrus und Johannes
giengen beide wandehi.
die
Petrus nahm den Stab
Hand,
damit still ik dy den Brand.
Or:
Hoch is de Hawen,
roet is de Krawen,
koelt is de Dodenhant,
damit still ik diissen Brant.
I. N. G. u. s. w.
Fire, fire,
thou goest over moor and land.
With my hallowed hand
I control this fire.
In the name, etc.
Peter and John
went both w^andering.
Peter took the staff in his hand.
therewith quench I thee, the firt
High is the heaven,
red is the crayfish,
cold is the dead-hand,
wherewith I quench this fire.
In the name, etc.
Or:
Gott vmd Petrus gehen iibersLand,
sie sehen brennen einen Brand.
" Brand, du sollst nicht brennen.
Brand, du sollst nicht sengen.
Brand, du sollst nicht hitzen.
Brand, du sollst nicht schwitzen,
bis die liebe Mutter Gottes
ihren andern Sohn soUte ge-
baren."
I. N. G. u. s. w.
God and Peter go over the land,
they see a fire burning.
" Fire, thou shalt not bum.
Fire, thou shalt not singe.
Fire, thou shalt not heat.
Fire, thou shalt not cause to
sweat,
until the dear mother of Go<l
shall have borne her second
son."
In the name, etc.
The following rimes are from Miillenhoff, pp. 516 sqq.
180 NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
Against rain.
Ragen, Ragen, rusch' !
de Koiiig faert to Busch.
Laet den Ragen ajwergacn,
laet de Siinn wedderkamen.
Lewe Siinn, kam' wedder
mit dyn goklen Fedder ;
mit dyn goklen Stralen
beschyn nns akomalen.
(Besckyn dat ganze Engelland,
da hangt de Klocken an de Wand,
wo Maria baven sitt
rait dat liitje Kind in Schoet.
Haelt en Stutenbotterbrot%
my Avat, dy wat,
unse liitje Mneschkatt wat ;
denn hewt vry altomael wat,)
Rain, rain, patter !
the king is going to the bush.
Let the rain pass over,
let the sun come again.
Dear sun, come again
with thy golden plumage ;
\Aith thy golden beams
illumine us altogether.
(Illumine the whole Engelland ',
where the bells hang on the wall,
where Mary sits above
with the little chdd in her lap.
Go get a * stutenbotterbrot,'
a bit for me, a bit for thee,
a bit for our little mouse-cat ;
then have we all of us a bit.)
BIRDS, ETC.
If a girl hears the stork chattering on its first coming,
she will break something ; if she sees one flying, she will
ride in a bridal carriage ; if she sees one standing, she will
be asked to stand gossip. Mellin.
If storks fly in a circle above a company of people, one
of those persons will soon die. Stendal.
If ravens fly over a house making a great croaking, a
person will soon die in it. Rauen.
If a dog howls before a house, it forebodes death or fire
in it.
Magpies may not be shot, it is unlucky. Neighbourhood
of Crossen.
If the klewdtt (a species of owl) screams at night, some
one will soon die. Steina in the Harz.
> Qu. Angeln ?
•^ Stutenbrod is a kind of pastry or cake in the form of a lozenge, com-
mon in Hamburg-
NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
181
Verses to the snail :
Schneckhus, Peckhus,
stak du din ver Horner rut,
sust schmit ick di in'n Graven,
da freten di de Raven.
Steyidal.
Taekeltuet,
kruep net dyn Hues,
dyn Hues dat brennt,
dyn Kinder de flennt',
dyn Fru de ligt in Waken :
kann'k dy nich mael spraken?
Taekeltuet, u. s. w\
Or,
Snaek, Snaek, komm heruet,
sunst tobrak ik dy dyn Hues.
Or,
Slingemues,
kruep uet dyn Hues,
stick all dyn veer (fief) Hoem uet.
Wullt du's nech uetstaken,
mil ik dyn Hues tobraken.
Slingemues, u. s. w."
Schneckhus, Peckhus,
stick thou thy four horns out,
else I v^'ill smite thee into the
ditch,
there the ravens will devour thee.
Taekeltuet,
creep out of thy house,
thy house is on fire,
thy children, they cry,
thy wife, she lies in childbed :
can I not once speak with thee ?
Taekeltuet, etc.
Snail, snail, come out,
else I will break thy house to
pieces.
Slingemues,
creep out of thy house,
stick all thy four (five) horns out.
If thou wilt not stick them out,
I '11 break thy house to pieces.
Slingemues, etc.
" In England the snail scoops out hollows, little rotund chambers, in
limestone, for its residence The following is a boy's invocation to
the snail to come out of such holes, and other places of retreat resorted
to by it —
Snail, snail, come out of your hole,
Or else I will beat you as black as a coal."
In Scotland they say :
" Snail, snail, shoot out your horn,
And tell us if it will be a bonnie day the morn 3."
^ Fleunen, to cry or laugh with a distorted mouth.
2 This and the two preceding addresses to the snail are from Miillen-
hoff, p. 509.
3 Chambers, Pop. Rh. p. 43.
182 NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
In the South of Italy the snail is thus addressed :
** Snail, snail, put out your horn,
Your mother is laughing you to scorn,
For she has a little son just born^"
To the ladybird (from the marsh of tlie Elbe) :
Maikatt, May-cat,
Hugg weg, fly away,
stuff weg, hasten away,
bring' my morgen goet Wedder bring me good weather with you
med. to-morrow.
From Ploen :
Marspaert (Mai-kpaert), fleeg in Marspaert, fly to heaven !
Himmel !
Bring' my' n Sack voU Kringeln, Bring me a sack full of biscuits,
my een, dy een, one for me, one for thee,
alle liitten Engeln een. for all the little angels one^.
THE ELDER.
An undoubted relic of old times_, connected with this
tree, existed till a comparatively recent period among the
peasants of Lower Saxony^ who, when about to lop an
elder^ were accustomed to utter this prayer :
Frau Ellhorn, Lady Elder,
gib mir was von deinem Holz ; give me some of thy wood ;
dann will ich dir von meinem then ^ill I also give thee some
audi was geben, of mine,
wann es wachst im Walde. when it grows in the forest.
This they repeated three times, with bended knees and
folded hands^.
Puschkait, the ancient Prussian god of the earth, is said to dwell under
the elder.
In England, magical practices with elders were forbidden at a very early
1 Taylor's transl. of Basile's Pentamerone, p. 183.
2 This and the prece(Ung are from MiillcnhofF, pp. 508, 509. See also
p. 104, Grimm, D.M. p. 658, and Chambers, Poj). Rh. p. 43.
3 Arnkiel, cited by Grimm, D.M. p. 618; Miillenhoff, p. 510; Thiolc,
i. p. 196, edit. 1820.
NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS. 183
period. In the ' Canones editi sub Eadgaro Rege ' it is enacted \>xi preosta
gehwilc forbeode >a gemearr, "5e man drifS onellenum, andeac on o'Srum
mislicum treowuin — that is, that every j^riest forbid the vain jrracticcs,
that are carried on tvith elders, and also with various other trees^,
THE ELEMENTS AND NATURAL PHENOMENA.
When there is a calm, scratch with an old nail on the
foremast ; then wind will rise. Hamburg.
When the wind has been long contrary, and yon meet
with another ship, throw an old broom before it ; the wind
will then change, you will get a fair, the other ship a con-
trary wind. Hambwg.
When a storm rises, a fire should be kindled ; it will not
then strike the house. Bergkirchen.
When it thunders, they say in the Mark : " Peter is
playing at bowls,^^ or, " The angels are playing at bowls.^-'
The lightning does not strike a house in which there is
a thunderbolt ^, or fire burning on the hearth, or a bird has
built its nest. Lautenthal.
After sunset there is frequently formed what is called a
iveather tree (Wetterbaum), a form of cloud resembling a
tree, according to which the weather will be regulated ; to
whatever quarter the points are directed the wind will
blow. Tilleda. Bart elf elde in the Harz. In the Ukermark,
they say in some places : '' Abraham's tree is flowering, it
will rain.^^ In other places : " If Abraham's tree flowers
in the afternoon, the weather will be fair ; if after mid-
night, there will be rain.^^
According as the breastbone of a goose is white or red,
the winter will be cold or mild ^. Mark.
When it snows, they say in Nordalbingia and in the
Harz: '^ Peter is shaking his bed;'^ in the Ukermark:
" Peter rules," or : " The angels are plucking feathers and
down." In the autumn mornings, when the fine white
* Anc. Laws and Inst, of England, p. 396, fol. edit.
2 See vol. i. p. 54, note. 3 ggg vol. ii. p. 2/4, No. 47.
184 NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
threads are hanging on the shrubs and bushes, they say :
"The Metten (Fates) ^ have been spinnmg." In summer,
if the weather has been long di-y : '' It 's God's hay-days/'
If it rains while the sun shines : " The old witch is frying
pancakes;" "They have a holiday in hell;" "The devil
is bleaching his grandmother;" or, "A tailor is gone to
heaven ^."
Whatever is undertaken during the moon's increase
succeeds, and the full moon brings all things to fullness,
while that which is begun during the wane fails. But for
maladies all potions and the like should be taken during
the wane, for then the malady will also wane. StendaL
No one should remove on a IMonday, because then the
house affairs will not thrive. If a servant enters a new
service on a Monday, he will not long continue in it.
StendaL
When the stars shoot, the weather is about to change.
Every person has his light in heaven, which when he
dies goes out ; and in its place a new one makes its ap-
pearance, as men are constantly being born ^. Brodeivin.
Names of constellations. Heaven's chariot (the Great
Bear), St. Peter's staff (Orion), the Silver Stars (Pleiades)^.
Brodewin. Another constellation is called the Plough and
Harrow, another the Crooked Rake. Baltrum,
MISCELLANEOUS.
1. Whoever carries about him a four-lobed clover leaf,
cannot be fascinated, i. e. he can see through all magical
delusions ^. Mellin.
2. On St. Lucy's day (Dec. 13)^ nothing should be
lent. Rauen.
3. White spots on the nails denote luck. Berlin.
1 A.-S. metten, joarca. ^ MiiHenhoff, p. 583.
3 See Grimm, K. and H. M. No. 44. ^ See Grimm, D. M. p. 690 sq.
5 See vol ii. p. 271, No. 27. " See Grimm, D. M. pp. 250, 1212.
NORTH GERMAN CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS. 185
4. Yarn spun by a child of seven years makes a person
bullet-proof. Liepe.
5 . To obtain what you wish from another, lay a swallow^s
tongue under your own, and then kiss the party. MS.
from Swiiiemunde.
6. To obtain the love of women, carry about you a bat^s
blood, or a swallow^s heart. MS. Sw.
7. To cause a person to reveal a secret, lay a daw^s heart
under his left side, and he will impart whatever you desire
to know. MS. Sw.
8. A malefactor^s arm-bone carried in the pocket is a
security against vermin. If a thief carries such a bone
about him, the party whom he designs to rob cannot wake^
Stendal.
9. A found horseshoe, if nailed on the threshold with
the points turned outwards, brings luck ; but if they are
turned inwards, it brings misfortune. Berlin and other
places.
10. To be beloved by eveiy body carry about you the
heart either of a pewet or a green frog. The eyes of a
pewet, if carried about a person, make him witty and
agreeable ; and if w^orn on the breast, when before a judge,
the party will be acquitted ; and whoever carries with him
in a bag the heart of a pewet, cannot be defrauded by
traders ; and if the heart be dried and reduced to powder,
and laid under the head at night, the party will dream
where there is treasure hidden. Stendal.
11. Unlucky days. In January: 1, 3, 6, 17, 18. In
February: 8, 16, 17. In March: 1, 12, 13, 15. In
April : 3, 15, 17, 18. In May : 8, 10, 17, 30. In June :
1, 7. In July : 1, 5, 6. In August : 1, 3, 18, 20. In
September: 15, 18, 30. In October: 15, 17. In No-
vember: 11, 17. In December: 1, 7, 11. A child born
on any of these days will seldom be long-lived ; or if it
1 See ill Netherl. Tradit. the " Thief's Foot," etc.
186 NORTH GERMAN CUSTOxMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.
lives, will be poor and miserable. On any of these days
no marriage is desirable, and whoever travels on one of
them, is sure to come home out of health. The most un-
lucky of them, on which no one should travel,^are : March
13, August 18, September 1, 3, 30. But there are three
days which are unlucky above all others, and whoever is
bled on one of them will surely die in seven or eight days
after, viz. April 1, on which the traitor Judas was born ;
Au2:ust 1, on which the devil was cast down from heaven;
December 1, on which Sodom and Gomorrha were de-
stroyed by fire from heaven. Stendal.
12. If a child be lifted out through a window, it must
be taken in by the same, else it will grow no more \ lb.
13. If a person who has a wen lets it be struck with a
pea-ladle, or a pregnant woman tread on it, it will dis-
appear, lb.
14. If a person takes water from his neighbour's well
after sunset, he takes with him his neighbour's luck and
prosperity. lb.
15. If a hare runs across one's path, it is unlucky. lb.
16. If your nose itches, you will hear news. lb.
17. If you dream of losing a cheek-tooth, one of the
family will soon die. lb.
18. To dream of fish betokens money; of a bright-
burning fire, luck ; of falling into water, illness.
19. To carry a purse of moleskin is lucky. Mark.
1 See vol. ii. p. 110, No. 30.
NETHERLANDISH POPULAR TRADITIONS
KABOUTERM ANNE KENS.
The inhabitants of tlie village of Herselt relate that, on
the occasion of a war, a great multitude of Kaboutermanne-
kens came into their neighbourhood. They took up their
abode near to the village, in the middle of a large forest^
in which there were several caverns. They frequently
came to the village, to fetch one thing or other, but with-
out doing harm to any one. When their women grew
old they caused them to descend into a pit, with a milk-
loaf in their hand, and then carefully closed up the pit's
mouth. The peasants say that the women were very con-
tented with this kind of death, and were by no means
forced to it.
In the village of Gelrode there is a small hill called the
Kabouterberg, in which there are many caverns dug, which
in former days were the habitations of the Kaboutermanne-
kens. If the miller of the place's millstone was worn, he
had only to lay it before his mill, together with a slice of
bread and butter and a glass of beer, and he was sure of
1 From Wolf, Niederlaudische Sagen, Leipsig, 1843.
188 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
finding it the next moniing beautifully sharpened. He did
in like manner when he wanted his linen washed.
The Redcaps or Klabbers, called also Kaboutermanne-
kenSj often increase the wood. In the night, when the
moon does not shine, they enter a house through the
chimney, make themselves a fire on the hearth, and set
themselves quietly before it. But no one sees the fire
except the Redcaps, though it warms more than an ordi-
nary fire. In the morning the housewife often finds of a
large bundle of brushw^ood only a few little twigs lying on
the dogs ; but these she readily kindles, because she knows
that they burn as long as a great bundle, and give double
the warmth. If while the wood is burning the housewife
should curse the Redcap or cross herself, the twigs would
flare out in an instant.
A poor peasant, whose wife was suddenly taken ill, rose
in the night to churn. He had already in the evening
placed everything in readiness, and set the milk in large
pots near the fire, that the work might proceed the more
speedily. On entering the place he saw to his great
astonishment that the fire was still burning, and that a
little man half asleep was sitting before it. The noise of
the man's wooden shoes waked the mannikin, who started
up, looked hard at the man, but without uttering a word.
The peasant was equally silent, but cast a stolen side-glance
at the intruder, and saw that he was clad in red from head
to foot, and had a green face and green hands. Then
looking straight before him, he took from a corner a bundle
of fire-wood, cast it do^vn by the hearth, and went quietly
to sleep. Next morning the butter was all set and ready,
so that he had only to take it to market ; there was, more-
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 189
over, a larger quantity than he had ever got from the milk.
His wife soon recovered, Redcap continued to churn for
them, and the man gradually became so rich that he kept
many cows, and could lay by a whole stockingful of shining
dollars. And no wonder, for by degrees Redcap did all
the work ; he ploughed the fields, took care of the cattle,
and in short performed more than the work of three men.
But prosperity corrupted the peasant. He now went
every evening to the pot-house, played away his money,
and regularly returned home drunk. This did not please
Redcap, and he reproached him accordingly. At first he
gave ear to him, but soon disregarded him, and at length
went so far, that, returning home one night late and drunk,
he grossly abused Redcap, and threw the bundle of fire-
wood into the well, which his wife had carefully made
ready.
In the same moment Redcap disappeared. On the fol-
lowing morning the wife was sick, the stocking, instead
of dollars, was filled with coals, the cows died, the house
and stalls fell to ruin, and the fields lay waste. The pea-
sant then came to his senses, but it was too late, and let
him pray and wail as he might that Redcaj) would restore
him to prosperity, it was of no avail ; on the contraiy, the
following night Redcap was heard laughing round the
house and jeering him.
Shortly after, the man died poor and miserable.
Near Turnhout a young man was deeply in love with a
maiden. The courtship had long continued without any
suspicion of its existence on the part of their respective
parents. The youth at length growing impatient, went
one day to the damscPs father, and requested his consent
to their union. But the old man being proud and over-
bearing, considered the young man too poor, and said to
190 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
him, " I cannot imagine how you can think of demanding
the hand of my daughter : if you cannot lay down a thou-
sand guilders, you need not let such a thing enter your
mind/^
This was a heavy blow to the young man, and he slunk
home full of trouble, not knowing what he should do. At
home he found no comfort ; for the counting of his little
stock of money ^vas no longer a pleasure to him, as it fell
far short of a thousand guilders; but which he must,
nevertheless, obtain. He then went into the fields, and
meditated self-destruction; for life had no longer any
pleasure for him. As he was now going he knew not
whither, on a sudden a Kaboutermanneken stood at his
side, who asked him the cause of his affliction. With
tearful eyes the young man recounted to him what had
taken place. When he had finished his story the Kabouter-
manneken laughed and said : " So, only a thousand guil-
ders ; that ^s not worth letting a single hair grow grey for.^'
" True," said the youth, " but if one has it not ?" " Well,''
replied the Kaboutermanneken, " one can then always get
it. Thou hast ever been a brave youth, and therefore the
matter may easily be managed. Just go home and count
thy monc}^, and come back and let me know how much it
falls short.'' "How much it falls short?" sighed the
young man, " that I know but too well, — eight hundred
guilders." " Thou hast not well counted it," said the Ka-
boutermanneken, laughing, " go and count it once again."
Full of joy the young man now ran back to the house
and again counted his money, when lo ! there were a thou-
sand gold guilders. Instantly he returned, considering it
his first duty to thank his benefactor, but he was not to
be seen, and often as he cried " Kaboutermanneken ! Ka-
boutermanneken ! " he came no more. He then ran home
again, packed up the money, put on his Sunday clothes,
and went to the father of the damsel, to whom he counted
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 191
out a thousand guilders. Within a week the marriage
took place, and they both lived long in peace and content.
Between Turnhout and Casterle there is a hill, which
is to this day called the Kaboutermannekensberg. The
Kaboutermannekens that once dwelt in it were very nu-
merous, but withal of a very evil nature, their greatest
delight being to inflict all possible injury on the inhabit-
ants of the neighbourhood. When night had begun, no
one was longer secure. They then went round and carried
off with them everything they fancied, fowls, ducks, geese,
oxen, cows and calves, money, in short everything, even
household utensils. This lasted a considerable length of
time, but now we hear no more of it.
A miller in Kempnerland found often in the morning
his work in the mill performed, let it have been ever so
much j though only when he left some bread and butter,
which on these occasions disappeared. This surprised the
man; so one evening he concealed himself behind some
flour-sacks, and saw a naked Kaboutermanneken come, eat
the bread and butter, and begin to work in the mill. The
miller being grieved to see the little fellow naked, went to
a tailor and ordered a pair of breeches and a jacket to be
made for him, which on the following evening he laid
along with the bread and butter. The Kaboutermanneken
came and danced for joy, on seeing the handsome garments,
quickly ate up the bread and butter, put on the clothes,
proudly strutted about, and disappeared without the miller
seeing which way he went. He never returned.
Now thought the miller : " Wait a little, I ^11 soon catch
thee;" and with that intention went and sat on a little
bridge that was over a brook, which the Kaboutermanne-
192 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
kens were in the habit of crossing every evening. He did
not wait long before they appeared. When the first stept
on the bridge, he said to the miller: ^^A\lio art thou,
man ?" but the miller made no answer; for he was look-
ing out for the Kaboutermanneken with the clothes on,
and those that he saw were naked. The second also said :
"Who art thou, man?^^ but he still kept silence; and so
it went on till the last came, and he had on the clothes
that the miller had placed in the mill. " Haha,^^ cried
the miller, "have I got thee ? " and was about to seize the
manneken, when suddenly a voice, like that of his wife,
was heard from the rivulet, crying for help, when the
miller turning round in a hurry, plumped into the water ;
but the Kaboutermannekens were all away.
An old man from the hamlet of Landorp, which lies not
far from Aerschot on the little river Demer, has often re-
lated the following :
A certain Heer Percy, who dwelt on the opposite side
of the Demer, was in the habit of being ferried over every
evening, for the purpose of visiting the inn at Landoi-p.
He usually stayed till it was very late, and when he wished
to return, the ferryman was gone to bed. But Heer Percy
cared little for that, for he was on good terms with the
Kaboutermannekens, who, as soon as the ferryman was
asleep, hastened to the bank, and when Heer Percy came
out of the inn, called aloud : " Heer Percy ! Heer Percy !
come quickly; we will ferry you over. Come, Heer
Percy!" Then would Heer Percy proceed to the bank,
and the mannekcns convey him across, when he gave them
a large jug of beer for their trouble.
He usually also engaged them for the next day, to make
coffee early in the morning, milk the cows, clean the house,
etc.; and all this they did most punctually; nor did they
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 193
drink a drop of the coffee or milk^ but left it untouched
until Heer Percy gave them some. Thus they acted, and
were so faithful because he was so kind to them. On the
other hand, however, the neighbours had to suffer a thou-
sand annoyances from them. They drank the milk of
their cows, spoiled their butter, and played pranks innu-
merable; for all which the neighbours were highly in-
censed against Heer Percy; but they could do him no
harm, for the Kaboutermannekens protected and watched
over him that no injury might befall him.
KLUDDE.
Kludde or Kleure is the name of an evil spirit which
plays its pranks in a great part of Brabant and Flanders.
With respect to its form it is a perfect Proteus ; for which
reason the peasants are so fearful of him, that they will
not for any consideration venture into a forest, a field, or
a road, which, according to common report, is haunted by
Kludde.
This spirit often transforms himself into a tree, which
at first appears quite small and delicate, but soon raises
itself to an immeasurable height, and is lost in the clouds,
while everything around it on earth is thrown into con-
fusion. Another time he will clothe himself with the skin
of a great black dog, and so run on his hind legs, at the
same time rattling a chain that is round his neck, and
will spring suddenly on the neck of the first person he
meets ; and when he has thrown him on the ground, en-
tirely vanish. But Kludde oftenest appears as an old,
half-starved horse, and as such is a bugbear to all grooms
and horse-boys, who relate that when they leave their
horses in the field at night, it frequently happens that,
instead of their well-known horse or mare, they set them-
selves on Kludde, who instantly runs off with them at full
speed, until he comes to some water, into which he pitches
K
194 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
his terrified rider. While the poor fellow is struggling to
save himself, Kludde lays himself with his belly flat on
the ground and sets up a fiendish laugh, until his victim,
sullen and angry, shall have worked himself out of his
bath.
Occasionally Kludde assumes the form of a cat, a frog,
a bat, or any other animal. His approach may be known
by two little blue flames, which fluttering and dancing go
before him. These flames are, as far as can be ascertained,
the eyes of the spectre. It is difficult to escape from
Kludde, even by running from him at the utmost speed
m a zigzag ; for, like a snake, he will wind in all direc-
tions with equal rapidity.
When this spectre takes his flight, he cries : " Kludde,
Kludde \'' w^hence comes his name.
In the neighbourhood of Ostend Kludde is kno\\Ti as a
Water-necker (Water-nix), and in the flat country about
that town as a Werwolf.
As two young men and a girl were going along in the
country, one of them, who was the lover of the girl, said
to his comrade: "Stop for a moment, I see something
yonder." "What dost thou see?" asked the other.
" Kludde," was the answer. " See, now he is a dog —
now he is growing up high — now he is little again — a
sheep— no, a cat " and thus he went on talking, while
neither his companion nor the girl could perceive anything.
His friend at length said : " If thou seest Kludde again,
let me know, and I will go up to him." " Then go now,"
eaid the other, "he is just running before me." His friend
went accordingly, but could see nothing of Kludde.
So it lasted until they came to the house of the young
man who had all along seen the spectre running before
him. Before the house there lay a flat stone, under which
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 195
the young man^s father was in the habit of placing the
key of the house, that he might not be under the necessity
of rising from his bed, when his son happened to stay late
at the public house. ^'^Don^t you now see him?^^ cried
the young man, " he is sitting on the stone, to prevent
me from getting the key." Saying these words, he took
his lass by the arm, adding: "Come, Mieken, we will
accompany you home, for you are frightened." On his
return he still saw Kludde sitting on the stone. The other
then took courage and went to the stone, when Kludde
sprang aside, so that he could take the key, with which
he opened the door for his comrade, who hurried in, lest
Kludde should be at his heels, while the other quietly
went his way, without having seen a trace of the spectre.
OSSCHAERT.
Formerly the town of Hamme, near Dendermonde, was
infested by an evil spirit named Osschaert, of whom it can
hardly be said that he was altogether a scourge to the
peaceable inhabitants of the neighbourhood, for to the
good Christians of the middle age he was at the same time
very beneficial, in being a terror to the wicked, and in
having forced many a one to turn into the path of righte-
ousness.
His usual abode was the spot where the chapel of Twee
Bruggen now stands, and the immediate neighbourhood
the scene of his exploits. If any one towards midnight
Were foolhardy enough to cry out, or even to mutter the
rimes,
Grypke, grypke grauw, Grypke, gr^qike grey.
Wilt gy my grypen. If thou Avilt gripe me,
Grjpt my nou. Gripe me now.
then would Osschaert leap on his back, with outspread
claws clamber up to his shoulders, and force him groaning
and panting to carry him, until good fortune brings him
k2
196 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
to a crossway, over which the evil spirit being unable to
pass, casts away his half-dead bearer.
It would seem that Osschaert had been repeatedly irri-
tated by the above rimes, for the longer he infested the
place the worse he grew, until at length it was not only
the drunken and the foolhardy who teazed him that were
the objects of his malice, but every one that he found
abroad at unseasonable hours of the night. The husband-
man consequently left the field with hasty steps before
sunset, the benighted traveller anxiously sought a shelter
before nightfall, and not a few of the country people
trembled even at their firesides, sending up fervent prayers
that the spectre might have no power over them.
But most painful was Osschaert's riding to those who
had some heavy burthen on their conscience. On such he
pressed with an intolerable weight, struck his claws deep
into their flesh, burned their necks wdth his hellish fiery
breath, and thereby infected with a most insufferable
stench every respiration of the sinner. Even when any
one thus tormented sank down from pain and weariness,
he got no respite ; he must rise again and continue his
course until he reached either a crossway or an image of
the Virgin in the vicinity of one.
But at Hamme there lived a pious priest, who, deeply
affected by the misery inflicted on his flock by Osschaert,
resolved to drive him away, and by exorcisms banished
him, for ninety-nine years, to the sea-shore, where he still
wanders.
An old man from the neighbourhood of Doel related
many of Osschacrt^s tricks, among which was the fol-
lowing.
His grandfather, when a young man, had gone one
evening on a courting expedition. On his return he had
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 197
to cross a field, when on a sudden an enormous monster
of a horse stood before him. Then thought my grand-
father : " Halt, this is Osschaert ; thou must get out of
the way ; ^' and so he did, with the intention of passing
through the churchyard ; but he had hardly got again
into the main road, when a huge dog as big as a horse
met him ; whereupon he turned his back, crossed himself,
and struck into another path leading to the churchyard ;
but scarcely had he reached it before a rabbit sprang
backwards and forwards before him. " Osschaert has
some design upon me this evening,^^ said he to himself,
and turned for the purpose of going round the church-
yard, when, at the corner of the gate, there stands a
gigantic ass, with fiery eyes as large as plates !
This perplexed him so prodigiously, that although he
was not the most timid of mortals, he sprang over the
wall and ran home with all speed, where he arrived
bathed in sweat.
There was once a fisherman named Blommaert, who
dwelt at Kieldrecht and had no wife, but only a little boat,
a net and a hut. When he brought his fish home in the
evening, he was in the habit of throwing them into a tub
of water, which stood by the window near the hearth.
On rising in the morning he always remarked that some
fish were missing, and that somebody had been, scattering
the ashes on the hearth, no doubt for the purpose of broil-
ing the fish on the still glowing embers. The fisher exa-
mined his hut, but finding no opening, felt fully convinced
that it was Osschaert who had played him the trick. He
soon forgot the affair, but to his no small vexation found
on the following morning that his fish had again been
taken and broiled on the embers. " Now,-*^ thought he,
"I will cure Master Osschaert of that trick,^^ and so
198 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
covered the whole hecarth with horse-dung, over which he
scattered a few ashes.
Osschaert came as usual to get and roast his fish, saying
as he entered : " Blommeken, vischkens braeyen ; " but
when he came to the hearth he spoiled the beautiful trout
with the horse-dung, and went away doubling and shaking
his fists ; while the fisherman, who was awake, burst into
a loud laugh. So far so good ; but Osschaert knew how to
be revenged. On the following morning, to \^'it, the fisher-
man went out and cast his net, and soon after attempted
to haul it up, but found it inconceivably heavy. At length,
when after much toil and trouble he had pulled it to the
surface of the water, he saw that there were no fish in it,
but only an immense heap of horse-dung. Osschaert now
gave a hearty laugh, and the fisherman full of vexation
returned home^
THE NECKER.
In the rivers and springs spirits have often been seen,
which the German Belgians call Neckers. These spirits
sometimes sang most beautiful melodies in chorus ; some-
times, like women, they were seen arranging theii' hair in
the river. They have also been known to converse with
men, and to play all sorts of games.
Near Ghent a little old man has often been seen on the
water of the Scheldt. He was a Necker (Nix), and was
constantly sighing and moaning. Two children once, who
1 Osschaert and the Yorkshire Barguest seem nearly identical. There
was a Barguest named the Picktrce Brag, whose usual form was that of a
little galloway, " in which shape a farmer, still or lately living thereabouts,
reported that it had come to him one night as he was going home ; that
he got upon it and rode very quietly till it came to a great pond, to which
it ran and threw him in, and went laughing away:' Keightley, F. M. p. 310.
Scott's Minstrelsy, i. p. ex.
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 199
were playing on the river^s bank^ saw him coming towards
them, and ran away, at which the Necker cried piteously.
He did harm to no one. If any person asked him the
cause of his sorrow, he would fetch a deep sigh and dis-
appear.
Throughout Brabant the tradition is current that the
Necker sucks the blood of the drowned. From rivulets
the mournful cry of a child is often heard ; but to this no
great attention need be paid, as it is often only a deception
of the Necker.
Those drowned of the name of Jan have the singular
property of remaining upright in the w^ater, and under no
circumstances are they ever found lying on the side.
THE THREE NIXEN OF JUPILLE.
One autumn evening as the joyful inhabitants of Jupille,
at the end of the vintage, were springing about and
dancing on the verdant turf, three damsels suddenly ap-
proached them from the banks of the Meuse, and joined
the mirthful assemblage. They were attired in garments
of dazzling whiteness, and on their fair locks wore garlands
of fresh-blown water-liUes. Whether they walked or only
glided on the earth no one could say. The young lads of
Jupille had never met with such light dancers.
When the dancing was over, all sat down in a circle,
and the three damsels began to sing, and that with such
sweet voices that the eyes of all were fixed on them, and
no one thought how far the night was already advanced.
To their surprise the clock struck the hour of midnight,
when the damsels, after whispering a few words together,
greeted the company round, and soon disappeared.
On the following evening, just as the moon was risen,
-00 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
they returned^ when the young men instantly hastened up
to them, requestmg them to dance. As the night was
sultry, one of them drew off her gloves, which her partner
took charge of. This time the clock struck twelve while
they were still engaged in the dance. Terrified at the sound
the damsels started and were hastening away, when one
exclaimed : " Where are my gloves V But the youth
would not restore them, retaining them as a pledge of love ;
and the damsel, with her companions, hurried away with-
out them. Her partner followed with equal speed ; being
but too desirous of discovering where the beauteous
maiden dwelt. They proceeded on and on, when, on
reaching the Meuse, the damsels sprang into the water
and vanished.
When on the following morning the love-sick youth re-
visited the spot, the water there was blood-red. The
maidens never appeared again ^
FLERUS.
In a farm-house near Ostend everything went on satis-
factorily and prosperously, so that in a short time the
owner became one of the wealthiest persons in the neigh-
bourhood. This was ascribed to a domestic sprite named
Flerus, who had his abode there, and appeared sometimes
under a human form, sometimes in that of an animal. If
a horse was sick, Flerus was called, who appeared at the
instant as a strong and lively horse, willingly suffered him-
self to be harnessed, and performed thrice the quantity
of work of any other horse. He never flinched from a
service : even if the maid-servants foresaw that they would
not have time to sweep the house thoroughly, Flerus would
come at their call, would draw water and carry it to them.
1 In connection with the foregoing tradition, see the epitome of German
Mythology in vol. i.
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 201
The only remuneration he looked for was a little fresh
milk with sugar.
But once a couple of young and thoughtless servant-
girls, who had been made rather wanton by the good na-
ture of Flerus, resolved on playing him a trick. They
called him and he instantly came ; but when he had per-
formed the work required of him, they set before him,
instead of his usual meal, fresh milk with garlic. Scarcely,
however, had he tasted it when he vanished, saying :
Melk en look ! Milk and garlic !
Flerus verhuist, Flerus decamps,
En't geluk ook. And good luck eke.
From that hour no more was heard or seen of Flerus in
the place, and everything went crab-fashion. From him
the place acquired the name of Flerushof.
THE WERWOLF.
A man had once gone out with his bow to attend a
shooting match at Ronsse, but when about half way to the
place, he saw on a sudden a large wolf spring from a
thicket and rush towards a young girl, that was sitting in
a meadow by the road side watching cows. The man did
not long hesitate, but quickly drawing forth an arrow,
took aim, and luckily hit the wolf in the right side, so that
the arrow remained sticking in the wound, and the animal
ran back howling into the wood.
On the following day he heard that a serving-man of
the burgomaster^s lay at the point of death, in conse-
quence of having been shot in the right side on the pre-
ceding day. This so excited the man^s curiosity, that he
went to the wounded man and requested to see the arrow,
which he instantly recognised as one of his own. Then
having desired all those present to withdraw, when he was
alone with the man, he persuaded him to confess how he
k5
202 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
had received the wound^ when he acknowledged that he
was the Werwolf. He died on the following day.
THE MAERE.
In the village of Alveringen a cunning man was once
called to see a woman who was mare-ridden. He took a
handful of dry sand, uttered certain words, and cast the
sand in the air, and all about, under the tables, chairs and
cupboards, in short, in every corner. Hardly had he done
this, when at once there stood a woman in the chamber,
of whom no one knew whence she came, and whom no
one had ever before seen. She did not long deliberate,
but quickly opened the door and escaped. " There was
your Mare,'^ said the man, " she will not return in a
hurry, for she is now marked." On the persons present
inquiring how or with what she was marked, he answered :
" Simply with a grain of sand ; but her power is now at
an end."
As some reapers were one day at work in a field near
Vilvorde, they found a naked woman lying apparently
asleep ; yet it was no natural sleep, for it did not appear
to the men that she breathed. Curious to know what
might be the matter w4th the woman, they went and called
a shepherd, who had the reputation of being skilled in
hidden things. On seeing the woman, he at once said :
" She is not asleep, but is a Mare, who has just stript
herself for the purpose of riding some one." The reapers
laughed at this, and said the shepherd was befooling them ;
but he said : " Wait only an instant, and you shall see
something extraordinary." He then bent down to the
woman and whispered a word or two in her ear, when they
immediately saw a little animal, the length of a finger and
of singular form, come running and creep into the woman's
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 203
mouth. The shepherd then gave her a smart push so that
she rolled over thrice, and which caused her to wake,
when after looking about her with astonishment, she got
up and fled with all possible speed, to the great surprise
of the reapers, who enjoyed the thing amazingly.
Two young men in the neighbourhood of Vilvorde loved
the same damsel ; but one of them, the comeher of the two,
had an affliction, for which he had tried a number of re-
medies, yet all to no purpose — he suffered every night
from the Mare. Complaining one day to his rival how he
was tormented the instant he got into bed, and how every
remedy had proved vain, the other laughed at him, and
said : " 0, there is nothing more easy ; I will give thee
advice, which, if thou wilt follow it, will secure thee from
all such visitations in future. Hold a sharp and well-
pointed knife with the point towards thy breast, when thou
liest down in bed, and do not go to sleep ; then will the
Mare have visited thee for the last time.^^
The poor lad, overjoyed at the thought of getting rid
of the spectre on such easy terms, forgot in his delight
half of the counsel, and held the knife with the handle to-
wards his breast, so that the point stood upright; and
lucky was it that he did so ; for when the Mare came as
usual, she wounded herself on the point of the knife, and
returned no more. In the other case she would have
driven the knife into his breast.
In Liege there was at one time a number of persons
who by wishing could afflict any one with the Mare; to
be again free from which people gave them money, and in
return received from them a bottle. Into this they had to
204 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
void their urine, which they placed a while in the sun, and
then brought it to the person to whom they had given the
money. This person then led the patient to some water,
by which he stood with his back towards it, and then
threw the bottle over his head into it.
A nobleman dwelling at his castle in the neighbourhood
of Sittard, was every night plagued with a Mare. He sent
for his physician, and at length for the clergyman, but
neither could supply him with a remedy for the evil.
This reached the ears of a shepherd, who came to the
nobleman and told him that he had a certain remedy for
the Mare. On the nobleman asking him in what it con-
sisted, he said : " If the Mare comes again, let her remain
quiet ; but when she is gone, make water, put it in a
bottle, and keep it carefully ; you will then see something
wonderful." The nobleman did so, and shut the bottle
up in his cupboard, keeping the key in his pocket.
Next day about noon there came an old woman to the
gate, asking whether they had any old broken glass to
sell. The maid-servant gave her all the broken glass, but
she again inquired whether they had no entire bottles, and
requested her to ask her master whether he had any. The
master, who instantly knew what she was driving at, an-
swered that he had none. She then asked whether she
could not speak with the master herself. On seeing him
she besought him to give her the bottle that he had in his
cupboard, and at his refusal, fell at his feet and wept
bitterly, promising that she would do him no further injury.
He thereupon took the bottle, and broke it ^, and drove
^ The original adds : " und zur Stunde lief das Wasser also von deni
alten Weibe weg, dass das ganze Zinnner vol) ^Yurde."
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 205
the old woman with blows from the door. He was thus
relieved from the Mare, who never again returned.
My aunf s grandmother, says Mynh. Van Swygenhoven,
had once a horse that was mare-ridden. This coming to
the knowledge of a neighbour, he brought two bricks,
which he laid crosswise, bound them fast with a cord, and
hung them on the horse. The animal instantly ceased
from sweating and feeling uneasiness, and the Mare no
more tormented it.
DWARF-SMITHIES.
In the Walloon provinces there is not a village nor a
hamlet that has not its dwarf-cave or dwarf-hole. In the
forests the vestiges of former smithies are often met with,
which the people call dwarf-smithies. Whole pigs of iron
or lead are also frequently found, which date from the
time of the goblins.
To those that are kind to them these dwarfs are very
serviceable; only care must be taken to place food for
them every night.
LODDER.
One warm summer night three reapers went to the field
for the purpose of completing their labour, which, in con-
sequence of the great heat, they had been obliged to in-
termit. The moon not having yet risen, they could
scarcely see, and therefore resolved, after laying aside their
clothes, to sit down for a short time, until it grew lighter.
Scarcely, however, had they deposited their garments,
when they heard a distant rattling as of chains, but which
constantly came nearer and nearer, and at length reached
the spot where the clothes were lying. One of the men
then stood up to look after their clothes, but there they
206 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
lay undisturbed_, and he saw nothings though the rattUng
still continued.
In the mean while it gradually became darker, and
thunder was heard at a distance, so the reapers resolved
to return home ; for they saw that it would be impossible
for them to work. They had but just put on their clothes
when the rattling suddenly and quickly came quite close
to them, and something passed between the legs of one
of them which carried him off wdth it. He cried as
loud as he could : " Lodder ! Lodder ! strike ! strike ! I
am sitting on him/^ But the others laughed at him, for
although they saw him riding away, they could not see
Lodder, for he had made himself invisible. So the more
they laughed, the more vexed was the man, and the more
lustily he cried out ; for he well knew on whose back he
was sitting. In short, he was carried on and on till he
came to a large pond, into which Lodder threw himself
and left the terrified reaper lying half dead on the grass.
When the others came up, they saw plainly that it was
earnest, and from that time have never laughed when any-
thing extraordinary happened to them in the night.
A wdld young fellow coming home late one night, heard,
while he was putting the key into the lock, something on
the ground that continually went ticktack, ticktack, tick-
tack. Stooping down he found it was a silver watch, which
he joyfully placed in his pocket. On entering his room
he drew it out, for the purpose of seeing at what hour it
stood. At that moment the church clock struck twelve,
and the watch became cold ajid icy in his hand, and on
looking at it, it was a large, fat toad. In his fright he
dashed it on the ground, when suddenly there stood a
huge dog before him, with eyes like lanterns, which after
having stared at him till he fell on his bed in a fright.
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 207
darted through the window, which at that moment sprang
open, when from without hahaha ! long resounded in his
ears. He then knew that it was Lodder.
On a Saturday evening the country lads usually go to
the window of their sweethearts and settle w4th them
where they shall meet on the Sunday. A young fellow from
Tissel, who was on the same errand, had, in order to reach
the house in which his sweetheart dwelt, to cross over a
brook ; but when he came to the spot where the bridge
should be, it was no longer there, but there was Lodder
sitting in the grass. " What dost thou want ? " said
Lodder. " I want to go to my sweetheart," answered the
young man, " but I don^t see the bridge." " Then I can
help thee," said Lodder, at the same time stretching him-
self at full length across the water, so that his paws
reached the opposite bank ; and the youth taking courage,
passed over Lodder^s back and neck and arms, and when
he found himself on the opposite bank he courteously
thanked Lodder. After having conversed a while with his
lass, he took his way home. In passing through a corn-
field he heard an infant piteously crying, and on proceed-
ing to the spot whence the voice seemed to come, he found
a boy of about eight years old, whom he took on his back
and continued his w^ay to the brook, where Lodder was
still sitting. " What hast thou there ? " asked Lodder.
" A poor child," answered the young man, " whom I will
keep with me till to-morrow, when he will perhaps find
his parents." "^Tis well," said Lodder, stretching out
his paws, and again placing himself across the brook. But
as he was passing over Lodder^s legs, the boy on his
shoulders grew uncommonly heavy, so that Lodder cried
out, ^' Thou art getting too heavy for me, I shall let thee
fall." "Just stay a little while, dear Lodder," said the
208 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
young maiij '^ I shall be over in a second." But the boy
grew heavier and heavier, and when they were on Loddcr's
back, he blew hot into the young man^s neck, and struck
his long nails into his shoulders : at the same moment
Lodder vanished, and the young man fell into the water,
where he instantly crossed himself, and so released him-
self from the boy. He then scrambled out of the brook
and ran home as fast as he could, while behind him re-
sounded Hahaha !
WITCHERY.
In the village of Oostbrouck, near Utrecht, there lived
a ^^'idow, who kept a man-servant, that performed both
domestic and field labour. This servant, such persons
being generally curious, had through his window fre-
quently remarked that his mistress, when she thought
that all were asleep, went to a particular place in the
stable, and there took hay from the crib. This surprised
him, and he wondered within himself why his mistress did
so, and resolved to try what would be the eflfect, if he did
the same. So once, after she had been in the stable, he
went in, looked carefully around, and took some hay.
But scarcely had he taken it in his hand before he was
hurried through the air, and borne away to the little town
of Wyck, and into a large underground cellar, where he
found a numerous assemblage of men and women. AYhen
his mistress and the others perceived him, they were at
first frightened, and asked him how he came among them,
and he then related to them the whole affair. His mis-
tress on hearing it fell into a violent rage, and began to
deliberate with her associates on the steps it were most
advisable to take; but all were of opinion that the best
course would be to receive the man amicably, and engage
him not to blab. Now came the hour of parting, and it
was again a subject of discussion, whether they should
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 209
kill him or let him go free^ but they resolved on the latter
course ; and after he had promised not to divulge what
he had witnessed^ his mistress took him on her shoulders,
and they both Hew off through the air. But when they
came to a lake the woman thought within herself it were
better to throw him into the water, for then there would
be an end to all tattling, and she did accordingly, giving
him a smart shake, so that the poor fellow fell into the
lake.
But his guardian angel would not allow him so to die,
and he escaped with his life, yet lay in great pain among
the rushes, groaning and wailing most piteously. Some
persons, who were passing by, hearing him, dragged him
out, and inquired how he came there, when he related to
them all that had befallen him. They then laid him on
a wagon and conveyed him to Utrecht, where he related
his story to the burgomaster, John Culemburg, at which
that magistrate greatly marvelled. The widow being
afterwards seized, made a full confession and received the
punishment she merited.
THE LONG WAPPER OF ANTWERP K
My late father, says the veracious narrator, as well as
my ancient aunt and all my acquaintances, have in my
younger days talked to me a thousand times about the
Long Wapper, and of the numerous tricks which that ex-
traordinary being played to the inhabitants of the good
city of Antwerp.
His tricks were not always malicious, but consisted fre-
quently in rogueries and the like ; yet something always
lay at the bottom of them that was not altogether right,
and regarding which one might entertain unfavourable
thoughts. It is, too, a well-known fact that he has car-
^ Partly from * Wodana,' p. 11.
210 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
ried many a one off with him, but whither the Lord alone
knows. It would seem that people were afraid to speak
ill of him, for who could say that he was not listening ?
Who or what he was I cannot say, for no one knew any-
thing of the matter. As long as he abode in the city, his
name was scarcely ever pronounced ; and it was only when
all traces of him had disappeared, that persons ventured
to communicate to each other their thoughts concerning
him. My schoolmistress, who was veiy religious, often
spoke of him, and told us he was a spirit from the other
world ; but I for my part believe that he was a rich man
belonging to the city, who had made a compact with the
devil. Indeed, at a later period I heard that several noble
and high city families were in league with him, and were
by family connected with him, and therefore had good
reason to keep the truth secret.
In former days the Wappersrui, which is now arched
over, lay quite open, and the place now called the Wappers-
briicke was a real, true bridge. There it was that the
Long Wapper chiefly made his haunt, and from him both
the above names are derived. He usually made his first
appearance from under the bridge, strode \^'ith his long
legs out of the water to the rampart, there in an instant
shrank to a diminutive size, and then appeared as one of
the street boys. He would then mingle with the other
boys, and no one ever recognised him, for he always as-
sumed the form of one of them that did not happen to
be present. This took place usually in the hours be-
tween light and dark, for then the boys came from school
or from their meals, and began their play. One of their
favourite games was ' shove-hat,' at which one of them,
on whom it fell by lot, gave his hat, which the others
shoved with their feet backwards and forwards, until he to
whom it belonged was fortunate enough to overtake and
seize it. All went on well till it fell to the lot of the Long
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 211
Wapper to give his hat ; but then wo to him who gave
the first push to the hat ! He broke his wooden shoes
in pie(;es and fractured his toes ; for the supposed hat was
a heavy iron pot. Then was to be heard the loud Hahaha !
of the jeering sprite^, whom all now sought after, but no
one found.
At night, when he could find no more boys to plague
and irritate in their games, there was not a single street
in the whole city that was wholly secure from his pranks.
Not an old woman nor a young girl could be out at a late
hour, without experiencing his artifice. In the neighbour-
hood of the Flesh-market in particular he perpetrated a
number of shameful acts; though what they exactly
were I no longer remember. Two cases are, however, still
fresh in my recollection, and that just because they hap-
pened to a person of my acquaintance. This person was
returning home from her work about eleven o^ clock one
night, when she heard the cry of a little infant proceeding
from the Flesh -market. On approaching the spot, she
found there, on a stone bench, a poor Uttle creature that
appeared not many hours old, in neat, white swaddling
clothes. She took up the little being and pressed it to
her bosom, thinking it was a forsaken babe that had been
exposed by its parents, in the expectation that some one
would keep and nourish the poor foundling. As it con-
tinued crying and would not be pacified, the good woman
resolved to give it the breast, for she had at the time a
suckling at home. Having so done she proceeded on her
way, but with every step she took the child grew larger
and larger, and heavier and heavier, so that when she was
within a few steps of her own door she could no longer
carry her burthen, but was obliged to let go the wonderful
suckling, which did not, however, fall on the ground, but
glided away under her arm, and at the same moment
Hahaha ! resounded behind her. On her turning round.
212 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
a voice addressed her with : " Thanks, good woman,
thanks ! I have nicely quenched my thirst/^ Wondering
hereat, she looked to see who spoke, and there stood the
Long Wapper close to her, with his head towering far
above the houses.
From that time she was very cautious, and whenever,
on returning home late at night, she met with anything
that appeared in the least degree suspicious, she instantly
either crossed herself, or called for aid to the mother of
God, or one of the saints or holy angels, and then natu-
rally all went right ; and by following this course she con-
tinued free from all annoyance for a considerable time.
Once, however, as she was on her way home about mid-
night, she all at once observed a white handkerchief or
napkin lying on the ground before her. Thinking she
was in luck^s way, she was carrying it off, when it stretched
itself out more and more, slipt away from her, and at
length became so long that she saw it was the Long
Wapper again, who now leisurely strode over the houses,
at the same time laughing aloud. Of such pranks I could
have told you God knows how many ; for every night
something new occurred, and that not in one place only,
but in many at the same time ; so that it was evident he
could multiply himself.
And then if I were to speak of the various forms under
which he appeared ! Sometimes he was a cat, sometimes
a dog, sometimes a clergyman, sometimes a richly clad
personage, who with sweetmeats and the like enticed chil-
dren to go with him, the Lord alone knows whither.
Often would he stand of an incredible height at the lofty
church windows, and disturb the late devotions with
cursing and blasphemy. At another time he would knock
at the windows of the second and even the third stories of
the houses, striking the greatest terror into the inhabit-
ants. If he saw any lace-makers or other women or men
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 213
working late at night, he would cry out to them : " The
night is for rae, the day for you^ !" In wealthy houses
he would appear in the form of an acquaintance and sit
with the family at table; and when all were enjoying
themselves in peace and contentment, would suddenly
vanish, laughing at his host. He would frequently mingle
with card-players, lose much money, and refuse to pay.
If then a quarrel ensued, he would call his fellow-game-
sters out, to settle the dispute out of doors, when gene-
rally one would lose his life.
What chiefly made my late father believe that the de-
struction of souls was one of the Long Wapper's principal
objects, was the following occurrence : A man, whose wife
was in labour, going out late one night to fetch a midwife,
encountered so many difficulties in his way that it would
be no easy task to recount them. In the mean time the
poor woman was left alone in her sufferings, and the child
would inevitably have diedf without baptism, had the man
— who was my own uncle — not extricated himself by
timely recourse to prayer.
But the best preservative against the Long Wapper was
an image of the Virgin, for that he could never pass. Since
that time such images have been set up at the corners of
all the streets, which is the principal reason why he left
Antwerp. He now haunts the sea-coast.
In the foregoing account of the Long Wapper we have
mentioned that no one ever ventured to speak ill of him,
or even to whisper the most innocent suppositions con-
cerning him ; for no one could be certain that he was not
speaking with him himself. In general it did not turn
out well for those who said anything about him ; for when
they went out at night they might be sure of being, in
* The cry of the Wild Huntsman.
214 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
one place or other, obliged to pass between his legs ; for
he would place himself across the street, with his feet
against the opposite sides, and make himself so tall that
his whole body rose above the houses, and thus break the
neck of many a one that passed under him.
When playing with children he often allowed them to
\Wn a great deal, particularly at marbles ; but when the
poor things returned home, and full of joy would exhibit
their winnings, the marbles were changed to filthy horse-
dung.
He one day played at thieves against the church of the
Friars Preachers, and the lot fell on him to be the hang-
man, an office he willingly undertook. When it came to
the hanging, he really hanged him who played the thief,
so that the poor boy died ; and then at one bounce avray
he sprang into the water, leaving the others with the dead
body, and laughing at them into the bargain.
A few days after this villanous act, a cooper in St. Pie-
tersvliet took a journeyman into his service, who at first
w^as very handy and attentive to his business. But one
day the master ordered him to throw a handful of shavings
into a cask and set them on fire, as coopers are in the
habit of doing ; but before the master was aware of it, the
jom'neyman had kindled the fire in the w^orkshop, and
chopt all the hoops in pieces. Allien the cooper saw this
he was exasperated, and w^as about seizing his rascally man
by the hair, to revenge himself for the damage ; but he
fled, pursued by his angry master, and sprang, bursting
into his usual scoffing laugh, into the water. The cooper
now saw pretty clearly with whom he had had to do, and
instantly hastened back to his workshop, where he found
everything in flames, and not till after much exertion,
with the help of his neighbours, could the fire be extin-
guished.
Shortly after this he hired himself to a brewer. After
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 215
having been a whole day industrious and attentive, he was
ordered in the evening to roll away a full tun of beer.
This he contrived to roll over one of his fellow-journey-
men, and the poor man was killed. Wapper was pursued
by all the brewer^s men, who would avenge their mate,
but he leaped in the Brouwersvliet and vanished. Some
who did not know him sprang after him to catch him, but
they were piteously drowned.
Another time he appeared in broad day selling muscles,
and passing by a house where four women were sitting
before the door at work, he strongly recommended his
muscles to them, at the same time opening one, which he
very courteously offered to one of the women. She took
it, but when in her mouth it was nothing but dirt. He
apologized and opened a second. This time all four saw
that it was a fine, sound muscle. Another of the women
was about to swallow it, but felt something crawling about
in her mouth, which on spitting it out proved to be a large,
black spider. The women fell upon him, but he defended
himself, left two of them for dead and vanished.
Equally atrocious was his conduct towards three youths.
They were sitting together in the Ridder-straet, wishing
to play at cards, but wanted a fourth. The Long Wapper
comes by, offers to play with them, and the game begins.
Shortly after a quarrel arises, and from words they soon
proceed to fighting ; the Long Wapper strikes them dead,
one after another, and then was away no one knew how
or whither. Often, too, when he mingled with card-
players, which frequently happened, he would suffer him-
self to be pursued by his fellow-gamesters, and so entice
them into the water, and there cause them to perish. He
once went into an inn, the sign of the Horn, and there
made such a disturbance that the night-watch were on the
point of seizing him, but he escaped from them and sprang
into the water. Those who leaped in after him, with the
216 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
intention of capturing liim, paid for their temerity with
their lives.
Sometimes he appeared as a Uttle child. Once in the
Beddenstraet some persons found a new-born child lying
in the middle of the road on a dunghill. They instantly
took the little creature into a house^ warmed and fed it
with pap, and for ten days took all possible care of it.
Then all at once it grew large, ran out of the house, and
laughed at the good folks who had been so kind to it.
The same happened to a washerwoman, who returning
from church found a child in the street, which she took
home and fed, and which, when it was warm and satisfied,
said, laughing aloud : " Thanks, mammy ; I was very cold
and hungry;" with which words it disappeared up the
chimney. Something similar also befell three lads. They
had gone out to cut osiers ; and on the esplanade of the
citadel found a child lying in the path. After considering
what to do with it, they agreed that one of them should
take it with him and give it to his mother. The lad then
taking it in his arms, proceeded with it homewards, fol-
lowed by the others. He had not, however, gone far be-
fore he began to complain of fatigue, and begged one of
his companions to carry the child. In his arms, too, it
grew so heavy, that he fell down with it, and then they
resolved that two together should carry it. This lasted
for a while, when it became too heavy for them, and the
third was obliged to aid them. When they had proceeded
a few steps further, the three being unable longer to bear
their burthen, laid it on the grass and sat down by the
side of it. Then all of a sudden the child began to in-
crease, and became larger and larger, and they saw clearly
that it was the Long Wappcr.
One poor man he struck with deadly terror. This man
was so poor that he had not even a handful of straw for his
children to sleep on ; when one evening returning from
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 217
his work he found a large bundle of straw lying in the
street. This he gladly took home with him^ saying to
himself: "Now my poor children can for once have a soft
bed." But hardly had he thrown down the straw in his
hut, before it moved and stood erect. The wife seeing
this, instantly ran to get holy water, with which having
sprinkled it, it instantly flew out through the chimney.
But ten times w^orse is that which befell a rich woman
in Antwerp. This woman led a very licentious life, and
had four lovers, all of whom visited her in the evenings,
but at different hours, so that no one knew anything of the
others. The Long Wapper one night assumed the form of
this lady. At ten o^clock came the first lover, and the Long
Wapper said to him : " What dost thou desire V "I desire
you for a wife," said the spark. " Thou shalt have me,"
replied Wapper, " if thou wilt go instantly to the church-
yard of our Lady, and there sit for two hours on the
transverse of the great cross." " Good," said he, " that
shall be done;" and he went and did accordingly.
At half-past ten came the second. " Wliat dost thou
desire ? " asked the Long Wapper. " I wish to marry
you," answered the suitor. "Thou shalt have me," re-
plied Wapper, " if thou wilt go previously to the church-
yard of our Lady, there take a coffin, drag it to the foot
of the great cross, and lay thyself in it till midnight."
" Good," said the lover, " that shall be done at once ; "
and he went and did so.
About eleven o'clock came the third. Him the Long
Wapper commissioned to go to the coffin at the foot of the
cross in our Lady's churchyard, to knock thrice on the lid,
and to wait there till midnight.
At half-past eleven came the fourth, and Wapper asked
him what his wishes were. " To wed you," answered he.
" Thou shalt do so," replied Wapper, " if thou wilt take
the iron chain in the kitchen, and dragging it after thee,
L
218 NETHERLANDISH TllxVDITIONS.
run three times round the cross in the churchyard of our
Lady/^ '' Good," said the spark, " that I will do."
The first had set himself on the cross, but had fallen
dead with fright to the earth, on seeing the second place
the coffin at his feet. The second died with fright when
the third struck thrice on the coffin ; the third fell down
dead when the fourth came rattling his chain, and the
fourth knew not what to think, when he found his three
rivals lying stiff and cold around the cross. With all
speed he ran from the churchyard to the lady, to tell her
what had happened, and to hold her to her word. But
she of course knew nothing of the matter j when, however,
on the following day, she was informed of the miserable
death of her three lovers, she put an end to her own life.
THE WILD HUNT.
The concubine of an ecclesiastic having died, the night
after her decease, as a soldier and his comrades were riding
through a forest, they were surprised at hearing a woman^s
voice crying for help. Shortly after they saw the woman
running towards them. One of the soldiers then de-
scending from his horse, made a circle round himself on
the earth with his sword, into which he drew the woman.
Immediately after they heard a fearful noise in the air,
like that of many huntsmen and dogs, at which the woman
trembled violently. But the soldier, giving his horse to
one of his comrades, took hold of the woman^s long tresses
and wound them round his left arm, while in his right
hand he held his sword stretched out before him.
When the Wild Hunt di-ew nigh, the woman whispered
to the soldier : " Ride without me, ride without me, there
he comes." The soldier, however, continued holding her
fast by the hair, but she tore herself away and fled,
leaving her long tresses in his hand. But the huntsman
soon caught her and threw her across his saddle, so that
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 219
her head and arms hung down on one side, and her legs
on the other.
Next morning, when he entered the town, the soldier
related his adventure and showed the hair on his arm.
The people at first would not believe him, but went and
opened the coffin, and there found the body lying without
hair.
THE WILD HUNTSMAN'S PRESENT.
As two countrymen were coming late one night through
the Sonienbusch, one of them quite drunk, the other being
a pious, sober man, they suddenly heard at a distance a
cracking of whips, barking of dogs, and tramp of horses.
" God preserve us, here's the Wild Huntsman \^' said the
sober countryman ; but the drunkard laughed and said :
^^I would fain know what the foul fiend catches," and
then in a loud voice cried : " Holla Sir Hunter, pray give
me part of your game.'' At this the other crossed him-
self, and they pursued their way home. On the following
morning, when the drunkard's wife would go out to fetch
water, she found, on opening the door, the hind quarter of
an ox that had died in the village about a month before,
and had been thrown on the common laystall, and which
stank horribly, and was full of worms and maggots.
THE ETERNAL HUNTSMAN OF WYNENDAEL.
In the neighbourhood of the castle of Wynendael, the
former palace of the Counts of Flanders, there dwelt a
long time ago an aged peasant, who had a son that was
entirely devoted to the chase, and instead of ploughing
and cultivating the fields, was always roaming about the
woods and forests. His father had often reproached him
for this propensity, but he continued in his old course.
When the old peasant at length lay on his death-bed,
he had his son called to him, for the purpose of giving
him a last Christian exhortation. He came not, but
T 9
220 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
whistling to his dogs, went out into the thicket. At this
the old man was struck with terrific despair, and he cursed
his son with the appalling words : " Hunt then for ever !
aye for ever ! '' He then turned his head and expired.
From that time the unhappy son has wandered restless
about the woods. At night he is frequently heard crying
Jacko ! Jacko ! Jacko ! and then the whole neighbour^
hood re-echoes with the noise of the huntsman and the
baying of dogs.
Others say that the huntsman was, by his father's male-
diction, transformed to a bird of prey, and flies about in
that form, following and attacking both men and beasts,
and constantly crying Jacko ! Jacko ! Jacko !
In these latter years the old woods about Wynendael
have been grubbed up, since which time the huntsman
has gone further up.
JACK 0' LANTERNS BAPTIZED.
Jack 0^ Lanterns are, as tradition tells us, the souls of
unbaptized children. Because these souls cannot enter
heaven, they take their abode in forests, and in dark and
desert places, where they mourn over their hard lot. If
at night they get sight of any person, they run up to him,
and then hasten on before him, to show him the way to
.^ome water, that he may baptize them therewith. And
that no one should neglect to do, because the poor beings
must remain without the gates of paradise until some one
takes pity on them.
MALEGY'S PALFREY.
On the Monday following the little Tuindag (or fair),
m the year 1521, three young damsels, Magdalena Ghy-
selin, Lucia Larmeson and ^laxima Vanden Driessche, who
dwelt near each other in the street of the RecoUets at
XETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 221
Ypres, tempted by tlie coolness of the evenings were walk-
ing slowly through the city, when, in the Temple street,
they were surprised by the sight of a little horse, which
seemed to be wandering about \\dthout a master. The
animal was of such extraordinary beauty, that the three
maidens stood still to admire it. Its skin was white,
without hair, and exceedingly smooth; on each haunch
there appeared, as if embroidered, a green parrot, and
round its body hung many garlands of flowers ; its legs
were as round as turned pillars, its mane was of gold
fringe, and its tail composed of many-coloured ribands ;
on its back was a saddle of rose-coloured damask.
While the three maidens were thus standing lost in
wonder at the uncommon beauty of the horse, a man came
running, who appeared to be the master of the strayed
animal, who turning to the delighted females, asked them
if they had ever seen so handsome a palfrey? '^^o/'
answered they in ecstasy. " That I can easily believe,^^
continued he in a courteous tone, " for this horse comes
from Japan. I have only to-day arrived in Ypres : its
qualities render it even more worthy of admiration than
its beautiful form. It will not suffer any male to ride it,
and instantly throws any one that ventures to make the
experiment ; but it is particularly adapted to carry young
damsels, as you may perceive by its splendid saddle.
"V^Tienever such wish to mount it, it instantly sinks down
on its knees, to receive them on its back. And if you are
inclined, ladies, to make a little tour with it, let all three
mount, and say where you live, or whither you would like
to go ; it will convey you thither with all comfort, as if it
felt itself flattered at being employed in the service of the
fair.^^
" What say you V said Magdalena, who was the boldest
of the three, to her two friends ; " I have already been on
horseback once, and if you will venture, I will sit fore-
222 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
most and hold the rein ; you can sit behind and take fast
hold of me/^ "We are willing/^ said the two others.
" So_, courage, nag/^ said the man, at the same time pat-
ting the animal ; " bend your knees before the young
ladies, that they ma}^ mount. ^^ In an instant the horse
fell on its knees, and the damsels mounted. " Now,^' said
Magdalena Vanden Driessche to the man, " you must not
let the horse run or leap, for I am afraid of falling off.^^
"Fear not,'^ answered the man, "it shall not leap; say
only where you wish to go.^^ "Home,'^ answered the
three at once, "we live near each other in the street of
the Eecollets.^^ " So, my nag, you have heard : be gentle
and ride on with the young ladies,^^ said the man to the
wonderful animal.
Magdalena held fast by the rein, which was a plaited
silken cord, to guide the horse, and the proud animal stept
on so gently that its tread could scarcely be heard ; but
by degrees its pace became quicker and quicker, till at
length it seemed to fly along the road like an arrow. It
was already without the city gate before the three maidens
Vv^ere aware that they w^ere deceived.
It was now night, and it would not be possible to con-
jecture the distance that the horse had travelled; but all
at once it stopt before a magnificent palace of vast dimen-
sions, the innumerable windows of which appeared like so
many furnaces, so intense was the light within the place.
The melodious tones of a thousand musical instruments
charmed the ears of the listening damsels ; it seemed also
that they were dancing merrily within.
At once the gate flew open, the palfrey bearing the
three maidens entered, followed by its master, and the
gate closed of itself after them. A moment after a side-
door opened, and a numerous and richly-clad party of
ladies presented themselves to the eyes of the young dam-
sels from Ypres. In the middle of the apartment stood a
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 223
well-furnished table, at the head of which sat a stately
personage, who seemed to be the master of the mansion.
Some of the young damsels then stood up, approached
the three maidens, and assisted them to dismount from
Malegy's palfrey, which again bent its knees ; after Avhich
they invited them to enter. But the three maidens, who
had not recovered from their surprise, craved pardon for
their unseasonable appearance at the palace, and were
about to begin the recital of what had befallen them. But
their excuses found no hearers, and they were obliged to
yield to the request of the young ladies. They entered
accordingly. Scarcely had they sufficiently feasted their
eyes on the splendid attire of the ladies, when their atten-
tion was attracted to the lord of the mansion. His dress
consisted of an ample robe of damask, which covered his
whole person ; on his head he had a kind of turban, in
the front of which projected a small mirror, and on both
sides of which w^ere attached diamonds and other precious
stones. This personage was not less courteous than the
young ladies, and by his flattering discourse so seduced
them, that from sheer politeness they sat down to table
and partook of the good cheer.
The three maidens had waited till the supper was over
to give an explanation of their adventure ; but when they
began to inquire for a guide to conduct them back to their
parents, who would be distressed on account of their long
absence, the master of the palace arose from his seat and
said : " Dear friends ! now that Malegy's palfrey has pro-
cured us the pleasure of receiving in our mansion these
noble damsels from Ypres, we must not neglect anything
that may contribute to their passing the evening cheer-
fully and pleasantly. — Let us play at forfeits.''
And as if all the ladies had divined the thought of their
lord, they had already ranged themselves in a circle when
he uttered the last words, leaving places vacant for the
224 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
damsels from Ypres, whom they pressed to join the party.
But IMagdalcna Ghyselin said : " I cannot play with you^
for my parents will be alarmed if I stay longer.^^ " Nor
can 1" said Lucia Larmeson. " I must positively be at
home to-night/^ said Maxima A'anden Dricssche, who was
the youngest, and feared being chidden. At this refusal
the eyes of the master assumed such a diabolic expression,
and his countenance was overspread with such an angry
gloom, that they quickly sat down in the circle, to with-
draw themselves from the terrific fascination of that visage.
They immediately thought that their refusal was an in-
civility, and charged themselves with causing the unfa-
vourable change which they remarked in the manner of
the lord of the mansion. They then played at forfeits.
When it came to the turn of the three maidens to repeat
after the master the words he had spoken, their usual
quickness at forfeits deserted them, for they were so dis-
concerted by his looks, that they lost every time, and had
to forfeit. This course of bad luck lasted so long that
all the three were obliged to give everything they had,
so that at last they parted with all their ornaments, as
earrings, chains, rings and bracelets, and even their
clothes. With beating hearts they awaited the end of
the game.
" Now,^^ said the great man, " before we proceed to the
redeeming of the forfeits, let us drink to the health of
Malegy^s palfrey, which has so wondrously brought the
young ladies to our dwelling.^' At these words the eyes
of the ladies of the palace grew brighter and shot forth
little flames, which almost blinded our three maidens. The
master of the palfrey then entered, filled the glasses, and
the salver went formally round. It seemed that the lips
of the great man muttered some mysterious words, and
any one who could have been an indifferent spectator of
what was passing, would have seen that his turban stood
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 225
higher than before, as if something were growing on his
head that lifted it u]).
They raised their glasses to their mouths, but no sooner
had the first drop of liquid passed over the lips of the
three maidens, than they seemed at once to wake from a
dream, and found themselves under the blue sky, in the
dewy grass that grew in the bottom of a great hollow. The
sorcery was at an end. The three maidens were sitting
in a deep cavity on the Kemmelberg, two hours distant
from the city, yet totally ignorant of the place they were
in. It may easily be imagined with what dejection they
looked on one another, in the middle of the night, half-
naked, and in an unknown place thrown into a pit, from
which nothing could be seen but the stars glittering in
the heavens. Mute astonishment soon, however, gave
place to a general lamentation over their miserable plight.
At length, having found means to escape from the pit,
they wandered bareheaded and barefooted for some time
round the mountain, till at length they perceived a pea-
sant's cottage, towards which they directed their steps.
They knocked at the door : the cottager rose and asked
what they wanted. They told him their adventure, and
inquired the name of the place where they were. " On
the Kemmelberg,'^ was the answer ; " and as I hear, you
have been in the clutches of the sorceresses, who on the
mountain here make such a hideous noise every night.
Only an hour ago I got up and put my head out of the
window, yet saw nothing but a great light, although I
heard playing, singing and dancing without cessation.
The three girls begged for the loan of clothes, and for
assistance, but the cottager's wife, who in her bed had
heard all that passed, cried out : '' No, Klaes, give them
no assistance : persons who dare to appear so naked at our
door can be no other than sorceresses, that come to deceive
us and to bewitch our child, for I hear it crying already :
L 5
226 NETHERLAXDISH TRADITIONS.
let US rather seize and burn them/' '^ I behcve thou art
right, wife," said the man, " for it is impossible that three
young damsels from Ypres, daughters of respectable per-
sons, should come to the Kemmelberg at such an improper
hour, and without clothes." Saying this he seized Mag-
dalena, who stood nearest to him, by her blue under-
petticoat. Lucia and Maxima ran down the mountain
and escaped. Magdalena screamed and struggled, but
with little chance of effecting her escape, when luckily the
hook of her petticoat brake, by which accident she was
enabled to run off, leaving her garment in the hands of
the peasant.
After having wandered through many unknown ways,
our scantily-clad damsels, with tearful eyes, cheeks red
with shame, and beating hearts, came at length to a hostel,
at the door of which they knocked. They did not venture
to tell the master, who instantly rose, how they had fallen
into so miserable a plight, lest they should receive no
better treatment than they had already experienced, and
therefore devised a falsehood, making the host believe that
they had been attacked and stript by robbers. Their story
inspired pity, they were taken in and provided with
clothes.
"But who are you?" inquired the host. "I," said
Magdalena, " am the daughter of Baldwin Ghyselin, and
these are my near neighbours." "What, the daughter
of my friend Ghyselin in the street of the BecoUets at
Ypres !" exclaimed the host; "that being the case 1 will
instantly put the horses to my wagon, in which I last
week carried a load of wood to his house, and will this
night conduct you home." " Oh do so, do so, good man,"
cried the three at once; "our parents will handsomely
reward you for the trouble." In less than half an hour
the wagon with two horses stood ready before the door of
the inn, and the three maidens, dressed in the hostess's
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 227
clothes, sprang into it, and the party drove off. When
they had ridden about an hour, it appeared to the host
that he had deviated from the right road. ^^ That is ad-
mirable/' said he; ''^l know the way from Kemniel to
Ypres as well as my Pater nostcr, and yet I have taken a
wrong road/' The anxiety of the damsels may be easily
conceived, when they thought of Malegy's palfrey, that
had carried them so supernaturally over hedge and ditch.
^^ It is wonderful,'' said the host again, '^ I cannot govern
my horses. Here we are now in the middle of a field;
and I cannot imagine how the horses could possibly have
dragged the wagon into it." And the wagon went on
more and more rapidly, and was dragged with violence
across dikes, through thickets, over ploughed land, and
through rivulets. A shadow floated constantly before the
horses. " It 's the shadow of Malegy's horse," whispered
the three girls with alarm. They at length entered a
broad road, and the wagon stopt ; the horses reeked with
the sweat that ran from them ; the shadow had vanished,
and day was beginning to dawn. " The witches of the
Kemmelberg have misled us," said the host, looking as
pale as a corpse ; " but their influence is at an end ; for
the dawn already appears yonder in the east." At this
moment a countryman passed by on his way to the field.
"Friend, what road is this we are in?" asked the host,
"What road?" repeated the man. "Yes, I must inquire,
though it seems laughable ; for I ought to drive the way
from Kemmel to Ypres blindfold, so well do I know it ;
and yet I don't exactly see whereabouts I am at this mo-
ment." The countryman smiled. " I believe you, friend,"
said he ; " you talk about Ypres, and you are more than
ten hours distant from it ; for you are now on the road
from Steenvoorde to Cassel. Don't you see the town in
the distance yonder ?" " Oh heavens," cried the damsels
with a sigh, " how could we be so silly as to ride on Ma-
228 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
legy^s horse V Who knows where their wandering would
have ended, if ^lalegy^s palfrey had not been surprised by
the daylight ?
It was with great difficulty that they reached the city
of Ypres on that day. What passed in their parental
home on their return may easily be imagined ; there sad-
ness and anxiety gave place to joy and astonishment at
the relation of what they had undergone.
Three years after, Magdalena Ghyselin was married, and
the marvellous adventure of herself and two friends was
represented on the wall of the best apartment, together
with the date. Magdalena explained the subject of the
pictures to her children, which they, at a later period,
interpreted to their oflfspring ; and thus the story has been
handed down to us, with the conviction that in days of
yore envious witches held their meetings on the Kemmel-
berg, around a pit, which in perpetual remembrance of
this event, has ever since been named the Kinderput, or
Children's pit.
THE FIDDLESTICK.
An old fiddler on his way came one night to the neigh-
bourhood of Hesdin, during a raging storm. He had to pass
through the forest, but in the darkness missed his path,
and wandered about for a long time without being able to
find it. Angry hereat, he struck his stick violently on the
ground and let such an impious malediction escape from
him as had never before passed his lips. At the same in-
stant he descried a bright light at a distance, the sight of
which inspiring him with new courage, he hastened
through thick and thin towards it. On arriving close to
it, he saw that it issued from the windows of a splendid
palace, which he never before had seen, and of which he
had never heard a syllable spoken. Overjoyed, however,
at the thought of finding a shelter, he passed through the
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 229
gate^ hastened across the fore-court_, and soon found him-
self standing before the open door of a brilHantly lighted
saloon_, in which were many persons of both sexes. Some
were sitting at long tables around a sumptuous banquet,
others were engaged in play at smaller tables ; but the
greater number were, amid shouts of revelry_, whirling
about in a merry dance. After the old man had looked
on for some time, he approached one who seemed to be
the master of the palace, and begged he might be allowed
to pass the night in a corner of the mansion. A benignant
smile and friendly nod were the sole answer; but a ser-
vant richly clad came and relieved him of his violin, which
he hung on a golden nail. The old man could now go
about the saloon to his heart's content ; but his first steps
were to the stage on which the musicians were placed,
where to his great delight he perceived a violoncello more
beautiful than any he had ever seen, and immediately
thought he would try the tone of it. But while he was
casting his eyes around, for the purpose of discovering the
steps that led up to the stage — for he considered himself
fully capable of performing with the best of the players —
he observed there a face quite familiar to him ; it was that
of his teacher in the art, who had been dead above thirty
years. " Holy mother, what do I see ! " exclaimed the
old man astounded. At the same instant the whole com-
pany, with servants, tables, musicians and palace, all
vanished.
On the following morning some persons from Auffin
found the old fiddler lying senseless at the foot of the
gallows. In his hand was a white fiddlestick; but his
own violin and bow were hanging on the toe of one of the
malefactors there suspended, round whose shoulders the
artist's cloak was carefully wrapt.
When recovered from his swoon, the old man hastened
home, where on more closely examining the white fiddle-
230 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
stick, he saw that it was a human Idoiic, and that on it,
inlaid in silver, was the name of a person in Hcsdin, who
bore a very indifferent character among his neighbours.
When the artist took the bow to him, the man turned
pale, and offered him a purse that should never be empty,
but always contain six pounds Parisian, provided he would
keep the affair secret. This the other readily promised,
took the purse^ and soon became a rich man.
THE FIDDLER TRICKED.
An old fiddler, who had been playing at the fair at
Opbrakel, and was returning with well-filled pockets and
contented mind to his home, had, in order to arrive at
Nederbraekel, to pass through a wood. It was already
midnight, and Kartof (such was the name of the old man)
w^as proceeding through the wood, when by chance putting
his hand in his pocket, he felt his pipe. " Ah," said he
to himself, " if I had only a spark of fire, how comfortably
I could smoke my pipe ! '' Scarcely were the words out of
his mouth, when in the middle of the wood, at about a
hundred paces distant, he perceived a light. On pro-
ceeding towards it, he saw as he drew near that there was
a large wood fire, around which a number of men and
women hand in hand were dancing and meny-making.
" Good ladies and gentlemen, I wish you a pleasant even-
in""," said Kartof. " Will you kindly allow me to take a
spark of your fire ? " " Readily, readily," answered the
dancers, every one at the same time springing forward to
give him a Hght; so that he soon blew forth clouds of
l)almy smoke. Perceiving Kartof s fiddle, the dancers
asked whether he would not strike up a quadrille. " Ah,
why not ? " answered the old man simpering ; and in an
instant all left the spot and conducted him to a spacious
saloon in a large palace. Here the fiddler tuned his in-
strument, a glass of costly wine was presented to him, and
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 231
now the dancing began riglit merrily. To rouse tlie player,
every time that his fiddlestick flagged, the dancers dropt a
piece of gold into his instrument, which the old man saw
with devouring eyes. His glass also was filled the moment
it was empty. But the two operations were so often re-
peated, that both the fiddle and the eyes of the player be-
came all the duller, and the latter at length closed through
drunkenness ; so that Kartof fell asleep and the dancing
ceased.
The sun had risen high when Kartof woke, who just
raised his heavy head to see where he had been so long
sleeping, and gradually to collect his thoughts a little to-
gether. He lay in the middle of the wood by a heap of
ashes, among w^hich some charcoal was still glimmering.
He then stood up and felt for his fiddle ; for drunk as he
had been, he had not forgotten the events of the night.
He turned his instrument about, for the purpose of shaking
out the gold pieces that had appeared so attractive to
him, but, 0 horrible deception ! they proved to be only
beech leaves that fell on the ground. On further consi-
deration he w^as convinced that the trick had been played
him by phantoms ; for in the w^hole neighbourhood he
had never seen any palace, save that which the sprites had
that night caused to appear and vanish.
THE FIDDLER IN THE GALLOWS-FIELD AT ANTWERP.
Near Antwerp there is a large field where formerly the
gallows stood, whence its name of the Gallows-field. Be-
yond this field there dwelt many years ago a fiddler, a
pleasant, jovial man, who was a sort of necessary ap-
pendage at every wedding and christening in the city ; for
he was everywhere a welcome guest.
Beturning late one night from the city, where he had
been engaged at a wedding party, he took his way across
232 NETHERLAXDISH TRADITIONS.
the Gallows-field. Here to his no small surprise he found
a large assembly of women dancing and making merry ;
and a little further he lighted on another company of many
hundreds sitting and feasting at sumptuously covered
tables. He rubbed his eyes, not knowing whether he
were awake or dreaming, and stood lost for a while in
wonder. One of the women stepping up to him, said :
" Pray, good musician, oblige us with a tune.^' He re-
quired no second asking, but sat down, adjusted his in-
strument, and struck up a merry tune, at which the
feasters rose from table, took each other^s hand and
danced. When the dance was ended, one of the women
came and presented to him a silver cup filled with wine,
which he took with thanks, saying : " Now, my honoured
ladies, to your health ! May God bless you ! '' But scarcely
had the last words passed his lips, before all had vanished,
and he found himself alone, with the cup and his fiddle,
sitting— on the gallows ! from which, not without difficulty
and danger, he contrived to descend only on the following
dawn. The cup he of course retained, and long preserved,
and showed it to many persons, to whom he related the
adventure.
THE WEDDING-FEAST AT CARRON-SAINT-MARTIN.
The bridegroom was the wealthiest man, the bride the
fairest maid in all the country about. The wedding was
splendid,and all went on merrily till the hour for dancing
drew nigh. It was then suddenly announced to the
young bridegroom that a little man, a stranger, was at the
door craving admission, and ere he could answer, the
extraordinary guest was already standing in the saloon.
Scarcely had the bridegroom cast eyes on him when his
cheeks grew deadly pale, and he but coldly returned the
stranger's greeting. This, however, gave the latter not
the slightest concern, but seating himself at the table, he
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 233
emptied the most capacious beer jug at one draughty and
devoured the largest ham clean to the bone^ so that all
the guests were seized with a cold shuddering ; for they
could not imagine that any man in the world could eat
and drink such a quantity.
When the table was cleared the stranger said to the
bridegroom, who sat still as pale as a corpse : '' Now this
I call a gay wedding, at which there is not a solitary
fiddle.^' AMiereupon one of the company told him, that the
musician was prevented from coming by the bad weather.
" Oh, if that ^s all," replied the new-comer, " I ^11 soon set
the matter right : I have my violin standing just by the
door." Having said this, he stept out and instantly re-
turned with his instrument, seated himself in a chair
placed on the table, and began playing the merriest tunes
imaginable.
All now arranged themselves for dancing with the ex-
ception of the bridegroom, who stood in a corner buried
in thought. No sooner, however, did the stranger get a
glimpse of him than, springing from the table, he has-
tened towards him, saying : " How now, Hans ? this is the
happiest day of your life, and you stand there as if you
could not count three." But the bridegroom continued
as it were in a dream. The stranger then laid his hand
familiarly on his shoulder, and at the same instant the
stings of hell seemed to penetrate him ; he rushed for-
ward in the most frantic joy, danced, leapt, cried, raved
and laughed so horribly that he might have been pro-
nounced a maniac rather than a rational being, who was
looking forward to the realization, within a short time, of
his long-cherished wishes. The other guests were seized
with a similar drunken frenzy, and persisted in their wild
mirth until the clock announced the hour of midnight. The
stranger then putting the violin into his pocket, descended
234 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
from the table, approached the bridegroom and in a cold,
calm tone said : " It 's now time I think ? "
" One night, only one night longer/^ said the person
addressed, trembling as with the most desperate ague.
" No ! '^ was the answer.
" Then give me yet one hour, one short hour.^^
" No ! " was repeated in an inexorable tone.
" A quarter of an hour then,^^ said the bridegroom im-
ploringly.
'' No ! "
"Yet will I have compassion on thee,^^ continued the
stranger, after having for a moment enjoyed the despair
of the poor wretch ; " if thy wife will undersign this, I
will grant thee eight days more.^^
The bridecrroom snatched from the hand of the stranger
a sheet of vellum with characters wTitten in gold, cast on
it a protracted look, and then with horror dashed it on the
ground.
"Then I must take leave of the company,'' said the
stranger, " and you will perhaps accompany me a step or
two?"
With these words the little man politely greeted all pre-
sent, threw his arm familiarly round the neck of the bride-
groom, and with him quitted the apartment, after having
whispered to the bride : " xVdieu, child ; don't be angry
with me for taking away your husband ; you shall soon
see him again."
The poor bride did indeed see him again, but not until
the following day, and then as a blackened half-consumed
corpse. AYhen he was conveyed to the church all the con-
secrated lights went out, and the grave, in which the
coffin was deposited, was on the following morning found
empty.
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 235
RIDING ON CALVES.
In the village of Capelle, three hours distant from Ant-
werp^ there lived a respectable farmer, whose wife was a
witch and attended every sabbath.
One night she asked her husband whether he would
not accompany her, to which, being of a curious disposi-
tion, he consented. The woman then fetched two calves,
on which they mounted: she also enjoined him not to
utter a syllable, and then said,
Over haeg en over heg, Over hedge and over haw.
Tot Keuleu in den ^^^'nkelder, To Cologne in the wine-cellar,
and away they went through the air on and on, till they
came to a great water. There the calves making a spring,
were instantly on the opposite side. At this the man was
so surprised that he cried aloud : " God bless us all, what
a jump for a calf * ! '^ But in the same moment the calf
vanished, and the farmer stood alone and in a strange
country. Next morning, on inquiring of a passer-by in
what direction the village of Capelle lay, the man had
never heard of such a place ; but on asking how far distant
the famous city of Antwerp was, he was answered : " Ah,
you must travel a long way before you reach that, for it is
sixty hours distant from this place.^^
THE WOMAN TRANSFORMED TO A HORSE,
At a large farm at Bollebeck there dwelt a serving-
man, w^ho although he always got nutritious food from the
farmer^s wife, yet daily grew thinner and thinner. His
fellow-servants frequently asked him the cause of this, but
he constantly answered that he knew not, until at length
the shepherd, who was his most intimate friend, fished the
matter out of him. To him he confessed that every night
1 See vol. 11. p. 186.
236 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
the farmcr^s wife came to his bedside and threw a bridle
over his head, by virtue of which he became instantly
turned to a horse ; she would then set herself upon him,
and ride on him throughout the night. " That seems to
me incredible,^^ said the shepherd, " but let me lie in thy
bed to-night ; I should like to try the thing for once."
The man agreed, and the shepherd laid himself in his bed.
About ten o^ clock the farmer's wife came in softly, and
was about to cast the bridle over him, but he was too
quick for her, snatched it out of her hand and cast it over
her owa head, when in one second there she stood before
him as a horse ! He rode her about the fields the whole
night, and when the day began to dawn he took her back
and led her to the farmer, saying : " blaster, there is a
horsedealer in the village, who wishes to dispose of this
mare, for which he asks five hundred francs.'^ " She is
sold,'^ said the farmer, '' come in and I will give thee the
money." " But it 's without the bridle," said the shep-
herd, " which he requires to have back." The farmer
laughing said : " Be it so, the bargain stands," at the
same time counting out the money, which the shepherd
speedily pocketed, and took the bridle off the mare, when
lo, there stood the wife bodily before them ! Shedding
bitter tears she fell at her husband's feet, promising never
again to do the like. The shepherd kept the money, but
made a promise never to divulge what had taken place,
which he kept till his dying day ^
THE CATS OF STOCKHEM.
There was a man in Stockhem, whose wife was in
childbed, and who, when the child was safely brought into
the world, put on his Sunday clothes and hastened to ac-
quaint his mother-in-law with the auspicious event. '^ 0,"
> See vol. ii. p. 190.
XETHERLANDISII TRADITIONS. 237
said the motlier-in-law, " I know that ah-cady ; I have just
been tokl it/^ At this the man was greatly surprised^ for
no one in Stockhem knew anything of the matter, and
the wife^s mother lived a good half-hour from the village.
"Wlien the man was returning and quietly going along
by the brook that runs by the road-side, a cat suddenly
darted after him, and passed between his legs : a second
followed, a third, a fourth, and so on to the number at
least of thirty. All these surrounded the man and so
annoyed him that he struck into the midst of them with
his stick. But his striking was to little purpose, they
evaded his blows, and in reward for his good intention,
cast him into the brook, after having torn from him his
silver shoe-buckles.
Wet and fatigued the poor man reached his home, and
instantly sent for the priest, to whom he related the ad-
venture. " Ah," said the priest, " I see what ^s in the
wind, and all that I can say and advise is this : Give no-
thing to anybody that begs of you at the door, if you
desire your wife and child to continue well." The man
promised to follow the advice, and observed it faithfully,
at least for a while.
On the following morning there came a poor old wo-
man to the door, begging for a morsel of bread ; but the
man said : " Go your way, I give nothing." In the
afternoon there came two very aged women, one leading
the other : they were dismissed in a similar manner.
Greybeards, cripples, children came begging, but no one
got anything, and this went on for more than three weeks.
The woman liad in the mean time become quite well
again, and the child grew every day stronger and stronger.
One forenoon, when she was sitting at home with the
babe on her lap, an old woman came, who begged in a
most piteous tone, imploring with tears that a morsel of
bread might be given her ; for that for two days she had
238 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
not tasted food. The man was prudent and said : " No,
go away, I ^U give you nothing/^ But the wife, who had
a tender heart, entreated her husband so long, that at last
he gave the crone a piece of bread.
Scarcely had the wife with her child re-entered the
apartment, when the infant was snatched from her by in-
visible hands, and dashed against the ceiling. On falling
to the ground, no one thought it had escaped with its
life. The woman at the same instant received a shock,
which threw her into a corner. All cried and screamed.
The man ran to the priest, beseeching him to aid them
speedily. The good pastor came instantly, but pronounced
both mother and child beyond all help ; and so it proved^
as both died within a week.
A WITCH BURNT.
The castle of Erendegen was so awfully haunted, that
it would not have been possible, with all the gold in the
world, to prevail on any one of the peasants of the village
to pass a single night in it. At last, however, a man came
to the place who was known by the name of bold Jan,
who offered to go to the castle, and stay any length of
time, requiring only to be furnished with everything ne-
cessary for the frying of pancakes. This was promised,
and Jan in the evening proceeded to the castle.
In one of the best rooms he made a fire and began
busily to fry, when the door opened, and in walked a black
cat, and sat down before the fire, as if for the purpose of
warming herself. She then asked Jan what he was doing.
" I am frying pancakes, my little friend,^^ said Jan, and
the words were hardly out of his mouth, when seven cats
entered at the same time, one of which appeared to be the
superior. These likewise asked Jan what he was doing,
and Jan again answered : '^ I am frying pancakes." The
cats then taking each othcr^s paw began to dance round
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 239
and round. Jan now filled tlie pan with butter, which
when melted and scalding hot, he threw over the cats, and
in one instant they all vanished.
On the following- day it was said in the village, that
the shoemaker^s wife was burnt over her whole body, of
which the soldier knew something, and assured the inha-
bitants that thenceforth the castle would be no more
haunted. And so it proved, for the cats never ventured
to return ^
THE RED CLOTH.
In former times peasant-women were often observed to
bring butter to the market of Turnhout in such quantities
as to excite every one^s astonishment, it being known that
they did not own a cow, or, at the most, had only a single
one. The general belief was that this butter came from
the Kaboutermannekens, and by the aid of a red cloth.
One of these women, who was suspected of having such
a red cloth, often brought butter to a certain house, which
]3 utter was as sweet as a nut and as yellow as gold. When
she came, a cup of cofiee was usually given to her, and some-
times a slice of bread and butter ; for she was a pleasant,
lively woman. The master of the house, however, not feel-
ing quite satisfied respecting her, went to a priest, to
whom he communicated his doubts. The priest gave him
a little box, directing him to hang it under the chair in
which the woman might be sitting.
On the next market-day the woman as usual brought
her butter, and having received payment for it, a cup of
coffee was given to her. While she was sitting, the man
came clandestinely and hung the box on her chair, then
seated himself opposite to her, to observe what she would
do. She appeared in nowise disconcerted, but sat un-
usually long, talking incessantly till the clock struck
1 See vol. ii. p, 32,
240 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
twelve. Then said the man : " Good woman, we are now
going to dine, and you are probabl}^ going to do the same ;
it is therefore time for you to go home.''^ The w^oman an-
swered : " Yes, you are right/^ and would rise from her
seat, but could not, for the chair clung to her. On seeing
this, the man full of rage exclaimed : " Stand up and pack
yourself ofF.^^ The woman was terrified, and said trem-
bling : " I will readily do so, but you must first take away
the thing that you have hung to the chair ; for it holds
me fast.^' The man then removed the box, struck the
woman, and thrust her out of doors.
THE TORMENTED WITCH.
The children of two pious persons in Amsterdam being
bewitched, a neighbour advised them to boil oak chips in
water which had been drawn from below a cross-bridge ;
then would the deviFs journeywoman make her appear-
ance, and the children be well again. At first the parents
gave no heed to this advice, but afterwards, from compas-
sion to the children, adopted it, though with closed doors,
and without the knowledge of any one. At the first
boiling of the water, a female neighbour came in running
and crying out : " Ye devil-casters ! ye devil-casters ! "
and continued thus crying and running about the house
as long as the pot was on the fire ; whence it evidently
appeared whom the poor infants had to thank for their
sufi'erings.
THE ACE OF HEARTS PIERCED.
An officer in Antwerp had seduced a maiden and de-
serted her. In her resentment she consulted a sorceress,
who gave her an ace of hearts with the following direc-
tions : The next night, when the clock struck twelve, to
take a full glass of white wine, lay the card upon it, and
pierce the heart exactly through the middle with a needle.
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 241
She would then be revenged. She did so^ but when she
pierced the card, three drops of blood fell into the glass.
On that evening the officer was sitting with his comrades
in a tavern. Just as the clock struck twelve, while he
was in the act of raising his glass, he suddenly grew pale
and fell down dead. The others, not aware that he was
no more, carried him out and laid him on a bed, when on
examination it was found that he had a deep wound in
the region of the heart.
THE LOST CHAIN.
A citizen^s daughter in Antwerp had received a gold
chain from her mother as a present. It was on a Sunday
that it was given to her, she wore it the whole day, and
at night placed it, carefully wrapped in cotton, in her
drawer. Next morning wishing to feast her eyes on it,
she found, on opening the drawer, that it had disappeared.
She now went to a sorceress, in the hope of discovering
who had stolen the chain. The woman told her that the
chain was already in third hands, but that she would re-
cover it, if she conducted herself discreetly. She then
fetched a crucifix, a wax candle, a candlestick, and a paper
of needles. The cross she placed before her with the back
of the image towards her, the candle she set in the candle-
stick, and then stuck every needle into it. ^^This is a
cruel process,^^ said she, " for every one of these needles
will wound the thief." " That matters little," answered
the girl, ^^ provided only I get my chain again." The
sorceress assvired her she would recover it, and that she
might return home quite easy.
On the evening of the same day, as the girl was sitting
by the fire with her mother, talking over the loss of the
chain, her eldest brother, breathless and pale, rushed into
the apartment. In answer to the questions put to him,
he could only answer : '* The dog, the dog with the fiery
M
242 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
eyes lias gone up stairs, oh the dog ! '^ " ^^liat means
all this ? '^ said the mother, opening the door, when a large
dog darted down the stairs, passed by her and sprang out
of the house. ^' Lord preserve us, the devil ! '' cried the
woman ; but the girl exclaimed with delight : *^ He has
brought me my chain back ! " All crossed themselves,
and went upstairs, and searched, but found nothing \
every chest, every closet, even the beds were rummaged,
but no chain appeared. At length said the woman :
'^ Stop : in the garret there are the sacks of apples, which
we had carried up yesterday from the garden ; it may be
in one of them.^^ " You are certainly very silly," said the
daughter laughing; but the mother replied: ^^Who can
know ? Nothing is lost by seeking." And the woman
was right ; for at the bottom of one of the sacks the chain
was found folded up in paper.
THE LANDMARK REMOVED.
Near the village of Vierzel there dwelt in former times
a peasant, who was so impelled by the desire of increasing
his land that he removed the boundary-posts that sepa-
rated his fields from those of his neighbour, and thereby
stole a considerable piece of land. The neighbour was a
heartily good man, who suspected no one of evil, and
therefore never w^as sensible of the other^s dishonesty.
Thus the peasant enjoyed the fruits of his robbery as long
as he lived. But now came his hour of death, and so un-
expectedly that he had no opportunity to confess his sins.
After his decease, the peasants of the neighbourhood saw
him every night, between the hours of twelve and one,
running through the field, bearing a heavy stake on his
back, and crying incessantly : " Where shall I set it ?
Where shall I leave it ? "
He had long been running about in this manner, when
it chanced that a drunken peasant, who was passing
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 243
through the field, finding hnnself unable to proceed fur-
ther, laid himself down and fell asleep. On the stroke of
twelve the ghost appeared wdth the landmark, and cried
as usual : " Where shall I set it ? Where shall I leave
it ? ^^ The drunkard w^aked by the cry, raised his head,
and looking on the ghost, said : " Thou ragamuffin, set
it again where thou stolest it from, thou blockhead ! ''
" The Lord be thanked ! Now I am released ! '' cried the
ghost joyfully, and went and set the stake again in its old
place ; and from that time never returned.
A precisely similar story is told of a spectre near Toiidern, in Sleswig.
See MUllenhoff, p. 189. The superstition is one of the most wide-spread.
THE BOLD SOLDIER OF ANTWERP \
There w^as in former days a house in the Little Market
at xintwerp that had four stories, and was as beautiful as
a royal palace ; but no one would live in it because it was
haunted. At the stroke of twelve there came a spectre,
that ran up and down the stairs ; and when it struck one,
it would place itself behind the street-door, and begin to
howl so horribly that every one felt pity for it. But no
one had courage enough to enter the house, which thus
continued empty, although the ghost every night cried :
" Release my soul ! Release my soul ! ''
This had continued a long while, when an old soldier
from the wars came to the city, who, on hearing people
speak of the house, said he would sleep a night in it, if a
hundred guilders were given him beforehand. The land-
lord wondered at this, but the soldier said he feared nei-
ther devil nor goblin ; for what God protects is well pro-
tected. The landlord then said : '' Give me thy hand as
a pledge, and tell me with what I must provide thee.^'
" Give me," said the soldier, " a good supply of wood cut
1 See Grimm, K. and H. M. No. 4.
M 2
244 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
small, a dozen bottles of wine, a bottle of brandy, and a
pot full of dough, together with a good pan, that I may
bake my cakes/' " That thou shalt have,'' answered the
landlord ; and when the soldier had all he required, he
went ^^^th it at nightfall into the house.
Having struck a light, he carried all his gear into an
apartment on the first story, in which there still remained
a table and two chairs, and then made a large fire on the
hearth, by which he placed his dough, that it might rise a
little. He next broke the necks off" his bottles, and so did
not long continue altogether sober, though he well knew
what he said and did. Thirst being now succeeded by
hunger, he took his pan, set it on the fire, and threw into
it a good ladleful of dough. The cake promised well,
smelt most temptingly, was already brown on one side,
and the soldier was in the act of turning it, when some-
thing suddenly fell down the chimney into the pan, and
the cake was in the ashes !
The soldier was not a little angry at this disaster, but
reconciled himself to his fate and filled the pan anew.
While the cake was baking, he looked at what had fallen
down the chimney and found it was an arm-bone. At
this the brave warrior began to laugh, and said : " You
want to frighten me, but you won't do it with your horse's
bone." He then seized the pan, to take out the cake,
preferring to eat it half baked rather than undergo a
second disappointment ; but in the same instant a rattling
was heard in the chimney, a number of bones fell into
the pan, and the cake into the ashes.
" Now, by Jove," said he, " that is too bad. They ought
to let me be quiet, for I am hungry. To pitch the whole
back-bone of a colt into my pan ! " But he was grievously
mistaken, for it was the back-bone of a human being.
Highly enraged he seized the bones and dashed them with
such violence against the wall that they flew in pieces.
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 245
Out of humour lie again sat down by the pan and made
several attempts to bake his cake, but every time down
fell one or other bone, and, by way of conclusion, a skull,
which the soldier hurled as far as he could send it.
" Now the sport will be at an end," said he, and began
again to bake, and this time without interruption, so that
he had a good dishful of cakes on the table, and had
already sat down and was eating comfortably, when the
clock struck. He counted ; it was twelve. In the same
instant he looked up, and saw that in the corner facing
him the bones had united and stood there as a hideous
skeleton with a white linen over its shoulders. The soldier
rubbed his eyes, thinking it a dream, but seeing that it
was a real skeleton, he called to it merrily : " Ha Mr.
Death ! how goes it ? you are uncommonly thin. But
come and eat and drink w4th me, provided cake and wine
will not fall through your body." The skeleton made no
answer, but merely pointed with its finger. " Well, speak
then, if you are from God," said he laughing ; " but if
from the devil, make yourself scarce." The skeleton con-
tinued pointing, but said nothing, and the soldier growing
tired of this, ate on leisurely, taking no further notice of
its movements. It now struck half-past twelve, and the
skeleton striding out of its corner, approached the table.
^' Ah," cried the soldier, " say what you want, but keep at
a distance, else w^e are no longer friends." The skeleton
then stretching forth its hands, touched that of the sol-
dier and burned a hole in it. '^ Hui, the devil ! " cried
he, " what ^s this ? " at the same time snatching up an
empty bottle and hurling it at the skeleton ; but it flew
in vacant space. He was now in a towering passion, and
would thrust the spectre out, but he grasped the empty
air, the skeleton constantly making signs and pointing
towards the door.
The soldier at length growing weary of this dumb show,
246 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
took up the light and said : " Well, I ^11 go with you, do
you only go first /^
The skeleton went first as far as the stairs, and made a
sign to the soldier that he should go down ; but he was
prudent enough not to do so, saying : ^' Go you fii'st,
always first ; you shall not break my neck. They thus
descended into a passage, in which lay a heavy stone,
ha\ang an iron ring in it. The ghost made a sign to him
to raise the stone, but he laughed and said : "If you want
to lift up the stone, you must do it yourself.^' The ghost
did so, and the soldier then saw that there was a great
hole beneath it, in w^hich stood three iron pots. '' Do you
see that money ? '' said the skeleton. " Aha, countryman,
you speak Flemish/^ cried the soldier, highly delighted,
" that 's capital. Yes, I see something that looks like a
ten-guilder piece."
The ghost now drew up the three pots and said : " This
is money which I concealed before my death." " So,"
said the soldier, " you are dead then ? " The ghost con-
tinued without answering, " I had to bum in hell as long
as the money was not found. You have released me from
hell." " A pretty fellow you !" said the soldier ; "in gra-
titude for the service, you have burnt my hand." " I shall
burn no more," said the ghost laughing; "just feel my
hand now, it^s quite cold." But the other drawing back
his hand, cried : " ^luch obliged all the same, no cere-
mony ; I know you birds." " Now I beseech you to
bestow one of the pots on the poor, to give one to the
church that masses may be said for my soul, and "
" This is an awkward business," exclaimed the soldier,
" I am not your lackey. But what were you going to
say ? " " The third pot is for you," whispered the ghost.
And the soldier leaped and danced and fell into the hole
and his light with him, so that he sat in the dark. " Ho
spritekin," cried he, " give me a lift out ! " But the ghost
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 247
had vanished, and he had to scramble out as well as he
could. When he again found himself safe on the ground,
he felt for his candle and for the stairs, went up, and lay
down to sleep.
On the following day he did as the ghost had directed,
gave one pot to the poor, another to the church, and found
so much in the third, that he became a very rich man,
rode every day in a coach, and went every day to the
tavern.
MARIKEN OF NYMWEGEN.
At the time when Duke Arent of Gelderland was taken
prisoner by his son, Duke Adolf and his confederates
(a.d. 1465), there dwelt about three miles from Nym-
wegen a pious priest, named Gysbrecht, who had with
him a beautiful young girl, named Mariken, the daughter
of his sister, her mother being dead. This maiden super-
intended the good man^s household, and was exceedingly
active and vigilant.
Now it once happened that the priest had occasion for
various articles that could only be got in Nymwegen, as
candles, oil, vinegar and matches; so he gave Mariken
eight stivers and sent her to the city, at the same time
enjoining her, if her purchases were not made in time for
her to return by daylight, to go and pass the night at her
aunt^s ; for she was a lively, handsome girl, and a mis-
chance might but too easily befall her. Mariken promised
so to do, and went to Nymwegen. But scarcely had her
uncle lost sight of her when he repented of having suffered
her to go, and said to himself : " Would that I had kept
her at home ; it is too dangerous to send young damsels
and women alone about the country; for the villany of the
world is very manifold.^^ Yet what was he to do ? He
must have a light when it was dark, and he must also
eat ; besides which, it was now too late ; for IMariken was
already far far away.
24:8 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
The aunt, to whom he had recommended his niece,
busied herself much with pohtics, and was an enthusiastic
partisan of Duke Adolf. She had just been conversing
with several other women concerning him, and had in the
course of her haranguing become so excited, that she ap-
peared more like a furious female devil than a respectable
Christian woman, when Mariken entered the room. It
was grown too late for the good lass to think of returning
home, she had therefore followed her nucleus injunction,
and now greeted her aunt in these gentle and courteous
terms : " Dear aunt ! may our Lord sweeten all your suf-
fering, and protect those whom you love against every
evil." But the aunt turning her head, assailed her with
these unchristianlike words : " Ha ha ! welcome devil, how
goes it in hell ?'' Mariken, though horrified at the dreadful
expressions, quietly deposited her purchases in a corner,
and modestly requested a night^s lodging. But for her
petition the aunt had no ears ; for she was sunk too deep
in politics. The poor girl again and more earnestly be-
sought her, but to as little purpose as before : she went
on raving : " What ! thou drivest the devil into my head ;
but I will bind him, I will swathe and lace him on a pil-
low like a child : I hardly know whether I am standing
on my head or my feet," — and much more in the same
strain. Vexed and saddened, IMariken packed her pur-
chases together, resolving to pass the night under the blue
vault of heaven rather than at her aunt^s, and said : " I
will now ask nothing more from any living soul, even
should the real devil himself come to me." She then left
the house of her aunt and the city of Nymwegen, and
walked on and on, in the hope of reaching home.
But when alone in the open country, and overpowered
by fatigue and hunger, she could proceed no further, she
abandoned herself to despair, and weeping bitterly ex-
claimed : " Oh lielp me, help me, me unhappy maiden,
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 249
God or devil; it is the same to me;^^ and she hehl her
hands before her face^ and dried her humid eyes with her
apron. While so doing, she was startled by suddenly see-
ing an elegant personage stand before her, who in a friendly
voice said to her : " Tell me, pretty damsel, why you are
so afflicted/-' Mariken was not a little terrified at hearing
herself addressed by one, of whom the instant before she
had not seen a trace -, but the stranger continued : " You
must not be terrified, my fair maiden ; for I love you most
heartily, and if you are content, I will make you a lady of
ladies/'' This somewhat tranquillized Mariken, who said :
" But tell me then, dear friend, truly who you are t'^ The
stranger answered : ^^ A master of all arts am I, and if
you will love me, I will teach you instantly the seven
liberal arts, to wit. Music, Khetoric, Logic, Grammar,
Geometry, Arithmetic and Alchymy." Mariken stared on
hearing all these erudite names repeated, and felt quite
pleased at the idea of learning so much ; but she insisted
beforehand on knowing the stranger^s name. ^^That I
can tell you,^^ said he ; " I am called Monen with one eye ;
but that is not all that you have to expect from me : of
gold and jewels, for instance, and money, you shall never
be in want, if you only grant me your love.^^ " Is that
true?" said Mariken with astonishment, ^Hhen I really
have nothing to object ; there is, however, another thing
besides, that I would gladly learn, and that is the art of
necromancy. My uncle has a beautiful book about it,
with which he could do wonders, and drive the devil
through a pinhole. That art I must also learn."
This was a hard blow for the stranger, for at no price
would he willingly have taught that art; and therefore
said : " Desist from that wish, my love, the art of necro-
mancy is a very dangerous one, and many a one has lost
his life by it. Think only that in the conjuring of spirits,
if you fail but in one word, or even in a single syllable, it
M 5
250 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
is all over with you, and tlien I can no more call you my
heart's delight. But in compensation I will instruct you
in the great art of understanding every language in the
world ; and that I would fain believe will be more pleasing
to my beloved/' Mariken agreed to the proposal, and
requested the stranger to begin his instruction forthwith.
But he said: "I have previously one request to make,
dear girl, and that is that from henceforth you change
your name; for I cannot endure it : Mariken ! ah !'' To
this the damsel would not consent ; so when Monen saw
that for the moment his object was not attainable, he
contented himself with the promise she made him, never
to make the sign of the holy cross. He then spoke on
indifferent subjects, but by degrees returned to that of
changing her name, and proposed that, instead of the odd,
ill-sounding ]\Iariken, she should assume the more usual
and more euphonic appellation of Emmeken. AVith this
proposal she complied, and immediately after they both
set out for Bois-le-Duc and Antwerp. Before they reached
the first-mentioned place Mariken was already in posses-
sion of all that had been promised by Monen, without
being conscious how it came to pass.
Master Gysbrecht in the mean while knew not what to
think about his niece. Two, three, four days had passed,
and she was still absent. The house became more and
more melancholy to the good man. At length, unable to
endure suspense any longer, he took his stick, and pro-
ceeded to his sister in Nymwegen ; for he expected as a
certainty to find Mariken there. But the impious woman
scoffed at his anxiety, and when Gysbrecht earnestly im-
plored her to tell him where jMarikcn could be found, she
answered : " How should I know ? She was here a week
ago, and I sent her to the devil, with whom she is most
probably rambling about.''
The good man was now inconsolable, but strove gra-
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 251
dually to collect himself, addressed a fervent prayer to our
Lady of Aix-la-Chapelle and St. Servatius of Maestricht,
and with tottering steps returned to his lonely dwelling.
But the aunt^s barbarous malediction did not go un-
punished; for a few days after, the castellain to whose
safe custody Duke Arent had been intrusted, set his cap-
tive at liberty, who was received with loud demonstrations
of joy in Bois-le-Duc. At this the wicked woman was so
bitterly enraged that she no longer knew what she did,
and in her fury laid violent hands on herself.
Of all this Mariken knew nothing. She was quietly
staying with Monen at the Tree Tavern in the great market-
place at Antwerp. This was a notorious house, where all
kinds of rabble were in the habit of assembling : prosti-
tutes, thieves, sharpers, swindling tradesfolk, and the Lord
knows what besides, all of whom raved and rioted so that
it was horrible to hear. Some of these hght gentry soon
introduced themselves to Mariken and Monen, being
strongly attracted by the beauty of the former. But
IMariken turning to her companion, said : " Tell me, my
love, is not that geometry, when I count the drops of wine
in the can yonder ?^^ Monen answered: '^'^ Quite right,
child, you have well retained the art I taught you yester-
day." The guests were astounded at the young woman's
erudition, but their w^onder increased when Monen in-
formed them she was mistress of all the seven arts, and
among the rest of rhetoric, which was the oldest of all.
They wished to have a specimen, and this flattered the
damsel, who rising repeated a poetical piece, which was so
ingenious that the verses at the end, and in the middle,
and everywhere, rimed together ; so that a number of per-
sons soon gathered round her, listening to her with open
mouths. Monen had in the mean time slipt away from
her, and mingled with the listeners, where by giving a
push to one and a push to another, he soon set them all
252 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
at loggerheads together. This so dehghted Monen, \\ho,
as every one will see, was no other than the incarnate
Satan himself, that he resolved to make a longer stay at
The Tree ; '' For," said he to himself, '' if he above yonder
puts no stop to me, I shall in a year's time get more than
a thousand souls into my clutches.^'
Emmeken was not pleased with this spectacle, and often
thought within herself that Monen was not one of the
best of persons; and this thought was the more lively
within her, when she called to mind the promise she had
made, never to make the sign of the cross. But while she
was thus standing and pondering, a pair of jovial com-
panions approached her, and all the good suggestions of
her conscience were away, and she amused herself with the
two frivolous sparks.
Thus did Emmeken, or Mariken, live during a period
of six years, and Monen took more and more delight in
her. But now a longing rose in her heart to see once
again her uncle Gysbrecht and her other friends and
acquaintances, to whom she would gladly have shown how
learned she had become. At this wish Monen was far
from feeling pleased, and strove to dissuade Mariken from
harbouring it ; but she said : " I am resolved on gomg,''
and he was compelled to comply; so they set out for
Nymwegen, and arrived there on the day of the fair. On
that day a play in a booth was annually performed there,
and Enmieken was desirous of seeing it, for she had often
heard her uncle say how delightful it was. But Monen
expressed anger at her intention, and wondered how so
learned a person could feel an interest in such tritles ; for
he feared that from the pious drama, which usually had
more useful influence on the people than preaching and
teaching, she might contract other thoughts, and become
unfaithful to him. But Emmeken persisted in her reso-
lution, and he was forced to accompany her to the place.
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 253
On their arrival Mascheroen, wlio Lad just entered^ was
saying, ^^I am Brelierio Mascheroen, the advocate of
Lucifer, and will call God to account for being more
clement to men, who are perpetually sinning, than to us
devils, who have sinned but once, and for that once must
burn eternally and without hope in the abyss of hell/^
Having said this, he turned to the Lord and called him to
account. Whereupon God said: "I have declared and
promised that whosoever repents in time shall find grace
to eternity." Mascheroen replied : " But that was not in
our time in the Old Testament, and therefore I maintain
that we suffer unjustly." Christ now rose and said :
" \VTiy then did I die, unless to change all that, and bring
all men to grace ? You prefer an unjust complaint, Mas-
cheroen, and my father is quite right." " If that is the
case," rejoined the advocate, " then God ought now to be
much more rigorous towards man than formerly in the
Old Testament, and that it cannot be said he is, Sir
Christ." Then God the Father spoke: "Yes, that is
true, and if mankind do not mend their ways, I will cause
my sharp sword of justice to fall upon them."
Then our Lady, w4io also was present, took this greatly
to heart, and besought her son at least to send forewarn-
ings to mankind, such as comets, double suns, earthquakes
and the like. But Jesus was inexorable and persisted in
his anger, because man only grew worse and worse the
oftener he was warned.
" Come, my dear Emmeken," cried Monen impatiently,
"what good can you derive from such babble? Come,
let us talk on more rational subjects." But Emmeken
would not stir a foot's breadth from the spot, and the less
so, as ^Mascheroen having just asked whether God would
not allow him to torment mankind, Mary in most beauti-
ful and touching expressions implored him to forgive them.
Then did bitter repentance cut through the very heart of
254 NETHERLANDISH TllADITIONS.
Mariken, and notwitlistanding Monen^s reiterated pro-
posals to drink a can of wine with him in the finest
hosteh-y in the city, she would not leave the place. Monen
now waxed wroth, and vociferated : '^ By the lungs and
spleen of Lucifer, come away from here, or I will carry
thee with shoes and stockings to hell V^ And with these
words he darted with Emmeken, like an arrow, up into
the air^
Poor ivlariken would inevitably have been lost, had the
wicked fiend after his falling again been able to grasp her ;
but he was prevented by her uncle. Master Gysbrecht,
who being come to Nymw^gen, as a spectator of the dra-
matic representation, was fortunately close at hand. He
recognised her instantly, sprang quickly towards her, and
by his powerful prayer scared the furious Monen away
from her. When Emmeken recovered and perceived her
uncle, she was overjoyed, confessed to him her course of
life during the last seven years, and implored his forgive-
ness, being, as she said, already sufficiently miserable in
being condemned to eternity. This, however, ^Master
Gysbrecht would not admit, but with edifying words ex-
horted her to repentance and amendment, through which
she might be sure of eternal happiness.
Monen in the mean time continued standing by her
side ; for he would gladly have taken his Emmeken with
him. But on his once venturing to dart upon her, Gys-
brecht put his arm round her, and in a threatening voice
said : '' Take care of thyself, accursed sprite ; for if thou
attemptcst any violence, I will read to thee something
from my breviary that shall soon drive thee hence. '^ Then
seeing that all was lost, jMonen roared and howled terri-
fically : " Oh me, wretched sprite ! what will become of
me ! How they will torture me with red-hot tongs, if I
lose her ! What will become of me!^' at the same time
^ Here some lines seem waiitiiio:, the narrative being evidently imperfect.
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 255
emitting red^ raging flames from his nose, moutli and ears,
so that it was appalling to behold. This, however, did
not disturb Master Gysbrecht, who calmly taking Mari-
ken by the hand, led her to the dean, who was a very
learned and holy priest.
When the dean had heard the recital of Mariken^s sins,
he said that he could not forgive them, for that they were
too great and manifold. At this Gysbrecht was troubled,
and proceeded with her to the church, and thence took
with him the holy eucharist, being resolved on going to
the bishop of Cologne, but fearing violence from Monen
on his journey thither. And it was soon manifest that
the prudent priest had done well ; for Monen was con-
stantly at hand, and from time to time tore down huge
branches of oak and hurled at them, though of course
without effect, as God protected the pious travellers.
When Magister Gysbrecht had laid the affair before the
bishop of Cologne, and related to him every particular, the
prelate said : " My dear son ! this is a sin of which it is
not in my power to grant forgiveness, that can only be
obtained from the pope at Rome.'' Still Gysbrecht de-
spaired not, but full of confidence went with Mariken over
hill and dale until they reached the holy city. No sooner
was the pope apprized of the affair than he caused Mariken
to appear before him, and heard her confession. But on
learning that she had been the devil's mistress, and that^
on her account and through her, more than two hundred
persons had lost their lives, the holy father was horror-
stricken, and exclaimed: "0 God and Father, how can
such things be possible ! Great, exceedingly great are the
mercy and grace of the Lord, but so deeply I hardly dare
dive into the treasure." He then sank in profound medi-
tation, and commanded Gysbrecht to come to him and
thus spoke : " My good and faithful son ! although I am
the holy father, I know not whether I can remit such
256 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
frightful sins : but let three rings of iron be made, and
close them round your niece^s neck and arms. When these
shall eitlier be worn out, or fall off spontaneously, then
are her sins forgiven.
Gysbrecht did so, and travelled back with ]\Iariken to
Nymwcgen, where she entered the convent of the Con-
verted Sisters. He there bade her an affectionate farewell,
and enjoined her to persevere in her penance, as heaven
would then without doubt forgive her her sins.
There IMariken lived for very many years, in the most
rigid austerity and retirement, the rings constantly re-
maining on her neck and arms. But when she was very
old and felt that her end was nigh, an angel suddenly
appeared by her bed and touched the rings, which instantly
fell off. She then piously slept in the Lord.
Her grave was long after to be seen in the conventual
church, on the stone of which her w^hole history was in-
scribed; and the three rings were hung on the adjacent
wall, as memorials and proofs of its veracity.
THE DEVIL OF NEDERBRAEKEL.
The servant of a rich farmer having spent all his money,
came towards home one evening reeling with drunkenness.
Dark thoughts passed through the brain of the miserable
being, who dreaded both the cudgel of his master and the
consequences of an empty pocket. In his weak but ex-
cited state of mind he resolved to sell his soul to the devil,
in the hoj)e of escape from so dreary a prospect ; and on
reaching a cross-way, he summoned all the devils, and
swore that his soul was for sale. A devil came, but told
him that he could not attain his object unless he pre-
viously offered a black hen to the prince of the infernal
realms, which he promised to do. For this purpose, when
the clock struck twelve at night was the time appointed.
When the awful hour approached the man stood ready
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 257
with the black hen, which he had stolen from his master,
under his frock, and hardly had the clock struck the first
stroke, before all the devils made their appearance. Their
chief stepping forwards, took the hen, which the man drew
forth trembling. The bargain was now concluded, and as
an acknowledgement of the agreement, the man was re-
quired to set his signature in blood in a little book that
the devil had brought with him.
The man on his return was not reprimanded by his
master, and his pockets were never empty. Whenever he
put his hand in he drew forth a piece of seventy-five cents,
with which he paid his reckoning, when he had been
drinking in an alehouse. Once when he was watching his
master's sheep, they, through his heedlessness, ran into a
neighbour's field, where they did serious injury to the
corn. This the peasant, to whom the land belonged, had
witnessed, and came running with the intention of inflict-
ing chastisement on the shepherd for the damage done.
The latter was too well aware of the bodily strength of the
peasant not to feel terrified; but the craft of the devil
came to help him out of his peril. Both shepherd and
sheep were transformed into dung-heaps before the peasant
could reach the spot, where he stood staring about him in
the utmost astonishment.
Thus did he continue to live ; but the five years, at the
expiration of which the devil was to become possessor of
his soul, were nearly ended, and the seller dreaded nothing
more than that moment. What does he do ? — He goes
to the priest of Nederbraekel, to whom he makes a full
confession. The priest, naturally well-disposed to rescue
an erring Christian soul from the fire of hell, causes him
first to perform an act of penitence, and then tells him to
come to him on the following day, being the dreaded day
of settlement. The man had hardly been an hour in the
house of the holy pastor, before a great noise of chains
258 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
and deviliy was heard in the chimney. The man, who
was sitting close beneath, was seized wdth unutterable
terror, and not without cause ; for he was lifted on high,
and seemed for ever lost ; but the priest, who had founded
his hope on the efficacy of his prayers, cast himself
promptly on his knees and repeated the gospel of St. John.
The man in the mean while being incessantly cast up and
down, fell at length, half dead with fright, miserably
bruised and bloody, to the ground, with the little book by
his side ; and the devil was away and continued away.
THE DEVIL OUT\YITTED.
There once lived in Louvain a rich merchant, who had
gained all his money and possessions by selling himself
body and soul to the devil. With his riches the man
possessed also much craft, and could help himself when
others could neither advise nor aid; and so it proved,
when at the expiration of seven years, the devil came for
the purpose of fetching him.
He took the devil in a friendly manner by the hand and,
as it was just evening, said : '' Wife, bring a light quickly
for the gentleman." " That is not at all necessary," said
the devil, " I am merely come to fetch you." " Yes, yes,
that I know very well," said the merchant, "only just
grant me the time till this little candle-end is burnt out,
as I have a few letters to sign and to put on my coat."
" Very well," said the devil, '' but only till the candle is
burnt out." " Good," said the merchant, and going into
the next room, ordered the maid-servant to place a large
cask full of water close to a very deep pit that was dug in
the garden. The men-seiTants also carried, each of them,
a cask to the spot ; and when all was done, they were or-
dered each to take a shovel, and stand round the pit. The
merchant then returned to the devil, who seeing that not
more than about an inch of candle remained, said laugh-
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 259
ing : " Now get yourself ready, it will soon be burnt out."
" That I see, and am content ; but I shall hold you to
your word, and stay till it is burnt.'' ''Of course," an-
swered the devil, " I stick to my word." '' It is dark in
the next room," continued the merchant, " bvit I must
find the great book with clasps, so let me just take the
light for one moment." " Certainly," said the devil,
''hwt I'll go with you." He did so, and the merchant's
trepidation was now on the increase. AVhen in the next
room, he said on a sudden : " Ah, now I know, the key
is in the garden door." And with these words he ran out
with the light into the garden, and before the devil could
overtake him, threw it into the pit, and the man and the
maids poured water upon it, and then filled up the hole
with earth. Now came the devil into the garden and
asked : " Well, did you get the key ? And how is it wdth
the candle? Where is it?" ''The candle?" said the
merchant. "Yes, the candle." " Ha, ha, ha! it is not
yet burnt out," answered the merchant laughing, " and
will not be burnt out for the next fifty years ; it hes there
a hundred fathom deep in the earth." When the devil
heard this he screamed awfully, and went off with a most
intolerable stench ^
THE FREISCHUTZ.
There was once a fowler who for a long time could
never bring down a bird. One day, when wandering about
the woods in despair, his employer having threatened to
dismiss him, there suddenly stood a well-clad man before
him, who asked him the cause of his sorrow. The fowler
told him the reason, at which the other laughed heartily.
" Why do you laugh at and ridicule me ? " asked the
fowler ; " do so again, and you will get a bullet in your
carcase." At this the man laughed yet more and said :
1 See vol. ii, p. 182.
260 XETHERLAXDISH TRADITIONS.
'' A bullet from you ? one must be a pretty good shot to
hit me at three paces^ and you are but a bungler/^ " You ^11
not say that twice/^ cried the fowler, choking with anger,
then levelled his piece and fired. The stranger continued
laughing, and said, offering him the bullet : " There, take
your bullet back, it ^s of no use." The fowler now felt
somewhat alarmed, but was soon relieved by the other
saying : " Let me have a shot. Do you see that sparrow
sitting on the church steeple yonder ? I ^11 bring it down
for you." "Do if you can," said the fowler laughing,
and at the same instant the report was heard and the
sparrow fell. " You shall shoot so too," continued the
stranger, " and hit whatever you wish, without even see-
ing it ; and if you see it, let it be as far off as it will, you
shall hit it, if you will only give me your signature and
make an engagement with me for seven years. I merely
require your soul." " Done," said the fowler, " I agree ;
but on condition that you always tell me what I shoot at."
" Granted," said the stranger. The man then signed his
name on a paper with his blood, and the devil disap-
peared.
For seven years the fowler shot so that it was wonder-
ful to see, and received from his master a stipend such as
no fowler in the whole world had ever received. But when
the last day but one had arrived, he was very sad, know-
ing that the devil would come for him on the following
morning. His wife observing his affliction, inquired the
cause, and, after some hesitation, he told her how he had
entered into a compact with the devil, under the condition
that the fiend should always tell him what he was shoot-
ing at, when the game was somewhat distant. " Then I
can help you, my dear man/^ said the wife laughing;
" only go out boldly with your gun, but be careful to shoot
at nothing without first asking what it is." The fowler
went out, and no sooner was he away than the wife stript
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 261
herself naked, smeared her whole body with syrup, and
then rolled herself in a feather bed, which she had cut
open for the purpose, so that she more resembled a bird
than a human being. She then went and sprang about
the field. Shortly after came her husband with the devil,
when the latter seeing this singular feathered animal, cried
out to the fowler: "There, fire ! '' "But what is it?''
asked the fowler. The devil looked and looked, but could
not make out what it was, and at last reluctantly said :
" I really cannot exactly say." " Ha ha ha ! then is our
covenant at an end,'' said the fowler, laughing heartily ;
and the devil vanished with an intolerable stench. The
wife laughed still more, and joyfully embraced her thus
rescued husband.
THE BARN OF MONTECOUVEZ.
After an abundant harvest, a young farmer, who had
neglected to repair his barn, knew not how to shelter his
corn. As he was walking about the fields, in a melan-
choly mood, and looking at his beautiful grain, a gentle-
man stept up to him and inquired the way to the castle
of Catelet. The farmer undertook to guide him thither.
On their way the stranger asked his companion why he
appeared so sad, and the latter related to him the unfor-
tunate plight in which he found himself. On hearing it,
the stranger offered to assist him, if he would enter into a
compact with him to be his vassal after a year, and attend
him in his possessions as a serf. With this proposal the
poor farmer complied, but with the condition that he
should have a home for his wife and children, to which
the stranger with a grisly laugh agreed. The farmer then
subscribed the contract, according to which the barn must
be ready before the first cock-crowing : having no ink, he
signed it with his blood. They then separated ; the stranger
went towards the castle, and soon disappeared from the
sight of the farmer, who returned to his dwelling.
262 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
The nearer he approached his house, the more suspi-
cious did the contract appear into which he had entered,
and still more so when he saw, by the side of the house,
the workmen sent by the stranger busily engaged in lay-
ing beam on beam and brick on brick, though at the same
time not a sound of hammer or plane, saw or axe was to
be heard ; and yet towering oaks were brought and sawed
into pieces, huge piles of stone were hewn and shaped.
Thus amazed and troubled he entered his dwelling,
where his wife was sitting in no less trepidation and asto-
nishment; for dog and cat, cocks and hens, ducks and
geese were thronging about her and crying, while the
horses in the stable were kicking and foaming.
But most terrified of all was a large cock, the finest of
the whole neighbourhood, and of all the animals of the
place the greatest favourite of his mistress. This bird,
when he could find no other refuge from fear and danger,
flew into his mistress's lap, but who in her fright pushed
him from her, and, crossing herself, cried out for help.
No sooner, however, had the cock recovered himself from
his fall than he sent forth a loud cock-a-doodle-doo. ilt
the same instant there resounded from the barn a tre-
mendous noise, so that the earth trembled, all the work-
men vanished in an instant, and the barn remained un-
finished. On the following morning the villagers were
not a little surprised at seeing the beautiful barn full of
sheaves of every kind ; for they could not conceive how
they had all come there, and the farmer took good care
not to let a syllable transpire of his adventure.
The hole, which remained unclosed in the gable, could
not be filled up by any means whatever, and continues
open unto this day ; from which time also a cock on the
farm always crows earlier than every other in the village.
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 263
THE DEVIL'S BARN AT GALLEMAERDE.
Some hundred years ago^ the occupier of the farm to
which the above-named barn belonged was so unfortunate
as to suffer the loss of it, whether by wind or fire I cannot
say j but so much is certain, that it was in August, and
that on the following day he was to carry his corn. In
his despair the farmer was wandering about his fields,
when suddenly a person appeared before him who asked
him the cause of his sadness, whereupon the farmer related
to him the whole matter. " 0, is that all?^^ said the
stranger, when the man had ended his story ; " that I can
easily remedy. If you will just write your name in your
blood on this parchment, your barn shall be fixed and
ready to-morrow before the cock crows ; if not, our con-
tract is void.^^ While saying these words the stranger
drew from his pocket a slip of parchment, and having
pricked the hand of the farmer with a needle, the latter
signed his name on it with the trickhng blood. The poor
man, however, soon repented of having so thoughtlessly
sold his soul to the devil, and from sheer anxiety could
not sleep ; and his wife, when informed of the bargain he
had made, could also get no sleep, but was as troubled
and terrified as himself.
But woman^s craft excels all other craft, says an old
proverb, the truth of which was here manifested. For
long before the time of cock-crowing, the wife jumped out
of bed and ran before the house, where she saw an endless
multitude of workmen employed on the barn. But ob-
serving that there was still a portion of the side-wall to be
completed, she quickly clapped her mouth between her
hands, and cried with all her might cock-a-doodle-doo !
cock-a-doodle-doo ! and was followed by all the cocks in
the neighbourhood, each of which sent forth a hearty
264 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
cock-a-doodle-doo. At the same instant every workman
vanished, and the barn remained unfinished.
Since that time repeated attempts have been made to
close up the hole, but the devil always comes in the night
and breaks it open again, out of pure spite for having
been so tricked by a farmer^s wife.
now TO BECOME INVISIBLE.
Fomierly there were many persons here (in Bierbeck)
who could make themselves invisible, by means of a little
bone, which they carried about them. This bone they ob-
tained in the following manner. They went at night,
between the hours of twelve and one, to a crossway, having
on one side a hedge or only a bush. On this they laid a
black cat, tied up in a sack, as an offering to the devil.
On the following morning the cat would be gone, but a
small bone would be found at the bottom of the sack,
which possessed the virtue required.
THE TRAVELLING MOTHER.
When a whirlwind rages on the earth, and carries every-
thing along with it, many persons regard it as a natural
phenomenon ; but it is nothing else than the Travelling
Mother, who is making her circuit.
THE LYING-IN WOMAN.
In the neighbourhood of towns there is often to be seen
a whirlwind suddenly descending or rising. One may then
be quite certain that in that very moment a woman hard
by has died in childbed without having by confession pre-
viously purified herself from a deadly sin. Into heaven
she may not come, and therefore passes down to hell ; but
there they dare not receive her, because, through the pains
she has suffered, she has already made ample atonement ;
and thus she again ascends, seeking a permanent place.
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 265
WANNE THEKLA.
Wanne Thekla is the queen of the elves and witches^ as
well as of the spirits in general that fly through the air.
When the weather is dark and stormy^ she plays her part.
At night she descends on earth followed by a long train
of her companions^ and dances,, and springs, and drinks on
the Pottelberg, where a gibbet formerly stood. On the
Leije, which flows through the city, she has a beautiful ship,
in which, after the revels of the night, she and her com-
panions sail away at the command of " Wind mit viercn^^'
THE EVERLASTING JEW.
In the year 1640, two citizens, who dwelt in the Tan-
ners^ street at Brussels, met in the Forest of Soignies an
old man, whose clothes appeared much the worse for wear,
and were besides extremely old-fashioned. They invited
him to accompany them to the hostelry, which he did, but
refused to sit down, and drank standing. As he walked
with the two citizens towards the gate, he told them many
things, most of which were relations of events that had
taken place several hundi-ed years before; whence the
citizens sooiir' discovered that their companion must be
Isaac Laquedem the Jew, who refused to let our Lord rest
at his door ; and they left him filled with horror ~.
ELVES.
Egg-shells may often be observed floating on the water ;
in these the Elves swim about. It is likewise said that
the Jbubbles, which are frequently to be seen on ponds
where there are no fish, are inhabited by them.
1 Lit. Wind with four ; probably an allusion to the expression fahren
mit vieren (Pferden), to go or drive with four {horses) ; in other words :
Sail away with all speed ; thus comparing their course by water to a land
journey with horses.
^ See p. 59, and vol. ii. p. 212.
N
266 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
The Elf-leaf, or Sorceresses' plant, is particularly grateful
to them, aud therefore ought not to be plucked.
There are also wicked Elves, that prepare the poison in
certain plants. Experienced shepherds are careful not to
let their flocks feed after sunset. " Nightwort,'' say they,
" belongs to the Elves, and whoever takes it must die.''
Nor does any man dare to sleep in a meadow or pasture
after sunset, for he would have everything to fear.
In Brabant there are many little hills, called by the
people Elfin-bergs, in which these Elves dwell.
FLABBAERT.
As some young men were returning home from the fair
at Kerselaere, one of them, a brother of the priest, and a
notorious swearer, began to curse and swear most awfully,
and particularly against Flabbaert, a red sprite that haunts
that neighbourhood. This went on smoothly for a while,
but at length Flabbaert grew tired of it, so seizing the
youth by the crag, he dipped him a few times in the water,
and then dashed him on shore so that every rib in his
body cracked.
When the priest heard of it on the following day, he
did not pity his brother, but said he was rightly served ;
he, however, banished the sprite for a hundi-ed years to
the shores of the Red-sea.
WHY THE JEWS DO NOT EAT SWINE'S FLESH.
When our Lord was living on earth, he once journeyed
through Flanders, and there were some dozens of Jews
standing together, who laughed at and ridiculed him, when
they saw him at a distance. " Wait," said one of them,
''we '11 make a trial of his miraculous power, and see whether
he can guess well." And thereupon they placed one of the
set under a tub, and when Jesus came up, they asked him
to tell them what was under the tub. " That I will tell
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 267
you instantly/^ said Jesus, "it^s a swine/' At this the
Jews laughed, thinking they had tricked him, and hfted
up the tub. But what great eyes did they not make, when
their quondam comrade, in the form of a swine, and
uttering a most furious grunt, shpt from under the tub,
and ran to a herd of swine that happened to be just
passing ! Then all the Jews ran after it, in the hope of
catchmg their companion, but were unable to distinguish
one pig from another, so alike were they all. And to this
day the Jews eat no pork, because they are afraid of killing
and devouring a descendant of that swine.
THE SPECTRES' MASS.
A woman of Hofstade was going to the city one morn-
ing early : her way lay by an old chapel, which within the
last ten years has been demohshed, in which she perceived
a light. On entering, she found the place full of forms
with white kerchiefs round their heads ; and as she
stood gazing, three priests came from the sacristy and
approached the high altar; they were followed by the
sacristan and choristers, and the mass commenced. But
they did not move about like living beings, but seemed to
float lightly on the earth; their robes also appeared quite
faded. At this spectacle the woman was struck with a
shuddering horror, and was quitting the chapel, but the
door was closed and she was compelled to remain. ^^Qien
the mass was over, the priests melted into air, the lights
went out, and all the white forms vanished. At the same
moment the chapel clock struck one.
When the sacristan opened the door in the morning, he
found the woman lying on the pavement half dead with
fear ^
^ See p. 8, and vol. ii. p. 204.
n2
268 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
ALVINA.
When the wind loudly howls and whistles, they say in
West Flanders : " Hark ! Alvina weeps." Alvina was the
beautiful daughter of a king, who, in consequence of her
marriage, was cursed by her parents to wander about to
all eternity. On this tradition there is an old popular
ballad, of which I have been unable to obtain more than
a few lines ; among others, the following : —
Ik voel dat ik moet gaen I feel that I must go
Vliegen in de winden, flying in the winds,
Zoo lang de wereld staet. As long as the world stands,
En nooit geen troost meer vinden. And never more comfort find.
Adieu Kinders, lieve \TUchten ! Adieu, children, dear fruits !
Adieu Man, die de oorzaek zijt. Adieu, husband, who art the
cause.
Unmoeden moet voor eeuwig Incessantly must for ever sigh !
zuchten
ROODSELKEN.
In the great flax fields of Flanders there grows a plant
the bright green leaves of which are sprinkled, as it were,
with red spots : whence its name of Roodselkcn. Accord-
ing to the tradition, this plant stood under the cross, and
was sprinkled with the Saviour's blood, which was never
after washed off, neither by rain nor snow.
THE BURNING LAND-MEASURER.
A land-measurer near Farsum had in his life-time acted
dishonestly. When he had a piece of land to measure, he
suffered himself to be bribed by one or other, and then
allotted to the party more than was just. For which cause
he was condemned after his death to wander as a burning
man with a burning measuring-staff; and so he yet mea-
sures every nigl
:ht^
' See pp. 11, 158, and vol. ii. pp. 97, 202, 211.
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 269
COWLS HUNG ON SUNBEAMS.
In the time of Wigbold_, fourth abbot of Adewert, mo-
nastic disciphne was there in full flower. There is even a
tradition that all the monks of that house lived in such
holy simplicity^ that they frequently hung their caps and
cowls on the rays of the sun, not knowing better than that
they were long poles. The fame of their holy life was
widely spread_, and many persons renounced the world, for
the sake of serving the Lord in their society ^
WHITE MAIDENS (WITTE JUFFERS) AND WHITE WOMEN
(WITTE WIJVEN) IN FRIESLAND.
At the time of the emperor Lothair there were many
ghosts and spectres in Friesland. They dwelt on the
summits of small hills, in artificial caverns, but which
were the work of no human hands. They were usually
called Witte Wijven. Of their figure nothing certain is
known. Nightly wanderers, shepherds, watchmen in the
corn-fields, pregnant women and children they frequently
carried off to their caverns and subterraneous places, from
which sighs, crying of children and sobs were often heard
to issue. On this account a careful watch was held over
pregnant women, and young children, that the White
Women might not carry them away. One of them still
haunts near Bierum, others near Golinse, Eenum, Farsum,
etc."
At the present day they are called Witte Juffers, and are
distinguished from the Witte Wijven, who are said to be
of a quite opposite character. They give aid to women in
labour, lead wanderers back to the right road, and in every
respect show themselves kind and friendly towards man-
kind. Their habitations, too, are less repulsive, and are
often in the vicinity of towns and villages. They are for
1 See vol. ii. p. 259. - See page 71.
'i/0 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
the most part hills, or caves overgrown with trees, as that
near Lochem in Holland, where three Witte Wijven dwell
together. In Friesland and Drenthe every child knows
them, \yhoever approaches such caves or hills, or enters
them, will see wonderful things.
THE THREE SISTERS.
Near Louvain are three graves, in which the bodies of
three pious sisters are buried. Before the graves three
clear springs gush forth, and thither Christian folks fre-
quently go on pilgrimage, particularly to obtain a cure
for women who are suffering under disease. But in order
to know whether a woman will recover or die of the malady,
the custom is to take a hood belonging to her and lay it
on the w^ater. If it sinks, no recovery is to be looked for ;
if it swims, the disease is curable. It is, however, neces-
sary to pray fervently and to bring an offering, which
must consist of a needle, a thread of yarn and some corn,
all obtained by begging.
ST. GERTRUD'S MINNE (MEMORY).
St. Gertrud had withdrawn from the world, in order to
devote her days to the service of God. But a knight, who
had previously been in love with her, did not on that ac-
count relinquish his hopes, but continued in the neigh-
bourhood of the convent, notwithstanding Gertrudes re-
peated declaration never to swerve from her vow. Seeing
that all his endeavours were vain, he summoned the devil
to his aid, and assigned his soul to him at the expiration
of seven years, for which Satan promised to help him to
attain his object. But the seven years passed, and the aid
of the evil one had effected nothing. Nevertheless he in-
sisted on having the soul of the knight, who was compelled
to submit to his fate.
Now appeared St. John to Gertrud in a dream, and
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 271
announced to her the danger in which the knight was
placed; whereupon Gertrud^ who had in the mean time
become abbess of her cloister^ immediately on rising as-
sembled all her nuns, accompanied by whom she proceeded
to the convent gate, just as the devil was passing with his
prey. Approaching the knight she presented to him a
cup of w ine, which she exhorted him to empty to the pro-
tection of St. John. The knight did so, and had scarcely
swallowed the last drop, when the covenant, torn in pieces,
fell at his feet, accompanied by a hideous howl of the foul
fiend.
Hence St. Gertrud is represented holding in one hand
a crosier, and in the other a cup, and from this event
originates the custom of drinking to Sinte Geerteminne.
THE LILY.
There was once in days of yore a conjurer who cut
people's heads off and set them on again. One day, when
he was practising his art, a travelling journeyman entered
the room as a spectator. On the table before the conjurer
there stood a large glass filled with distilled water, out of
which grew a white lily every time the conjurer cut a head
off, which he called the lily of life. When the conjurer
had cut a head off, the traveller quickly stept up to the
table, and with a sharp knife severed the stalk of the lilv;,
without being observed by any one; so that when the
conjurer would replace the head, the operation failed,
whereupon he was seized and burnt for a murderer.
This took place, as I have often heard my father relate,
in the year 1528, and that anterior to the French Revolu-
tion the judicial acts concerning it were still to be seen,
THE FEATHER HEART.
In a family of iny acquaintance the following story has
often been related to me.
<i/«i NETHERLAXDISH TRADITIONS.
A young maiden lay sick, and to all appearance in-
curable. All the physicians had emploj^ed their skill on
her, but all was in vain. At length the mother went to
an old Capuchin friar, to whom she related her case, and
who spoke to her thus : " My dear woman, your daughter's
malady is not to be cured by physicians, that is impossible,
for she is bewitched; but cut open the paillasse and the
feather-bed, on which she lies, and in one of the two you
will find a heart of feathers, which must instantly be cast
into the fire.''
The woman followed the friar's advice, and in fiict a
heart of feathers was found in the feather-bed. No sooner
was it burnt than her daughter recovered.
LOVE-MAGIC.
Take a host, or holy wafer, but which has not yet been
consecrated, write on it certain words with blood from the
ring-finger, and then let a priest say five masses over it.
Divide the wafer in two equal parts, of which keep one,
and give the other to the person whose love you desire to
gain.
Some persons make images of earth, wax, precious
stones, or mixtures of certain things. These they baptize
with the name of the person whom they wish to inspire
with love, and with the same ceremonies that the priests
employ in real baptisms ; excepting that they call on and
conjure the devil, and add scandalous, blasphemous words.
They then melt the image, when at the same time the
heai't of the person, whose name the image bears, will be
inspired with love, though it had previously been insen-
sible to that passion.
In a mansion in the town of N — there sat three youn<i-
damsels, on the eve of a festival, at a covered table, on
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 273
which were three plates, and at which so many vacant
places were left for the coming bridegrooms. These they
expected after the performance of the prescribed cere-
monies. But there appeared only two young nobles, who
attached themselves to two of the young ladies at the table.
The third came not. At this the third damsel, after long
expectation, growing impatient, looked out of the window,
when exactly opposite to her she saw a coffin, in which lay
a young person exactly resembling herself. This apparition
so shocked her, that she fell sick and died soon after.
Three maidens were sitting stark naked at a table, each
having a glass before her, one containing water, another
beer, and the third wine. They were awaiting their bride-
grooms. First appeared a serving-man, who took the glass
of water and departed. Then came a cooper, who took
the glass of beer and went his way. Next entered a vil-
lage schoolmaster, who snatched up the glass of wine and
carried it oiF.
The result of the process proves its efficacy. The lass,
who had a glass of water before her, married a serving-
man, with whom she had little bread and plenty of water.
The second got a cooper for her husband, with whom she
suffiired no want, though her life was a miserable one, for
she had nothing but pain and suffering. How it fared
with the third I never heard, for she went to another
country with her husband, who was a schoolmaster ^
When the girls in Belgium desire to see their lovers in
a dream, they lay their garters crosswise at the foot of the
bed, and a little looking-glass under the pillow. They
then in a dream see the image of their future husband
appearing in the glass.
1 See p. 142.
n5
27i NETHERLAXDISH TRADITIONS.
On the first Friday of every month, they also repeat the
following :
Lune, luue, belle lime, i
Faites me voir en mon dormant
Le mari que j'am-ai en mon vivant.
If a girl finds an entire com in her bread and butter,
she can see her future husband. For this purpose she
must stick the corn in a crack of the door, and then keep
watch. The third person that passes is the future one.
Others say that the future one will merely be of the
same trade with the third person that passes by the house.
If a girl desires to be sure whether her sweetheart still
loves her, she must fold her garter three times, over every
fold pronounce certain words, then lay it under her pillow^,
and without uttering a syllable, go to bed. If at mid-
night she sees her lover looking fresh and well, then all is
right, and she will soon be married ; but if in his stead a
corpse appears, she may give up all hope, for she will
never get her lover. In either case the lover has much
to sufi"er during the night.
THIEF'S FOOT.— THIEF'S HAND.— THIEF'S FINGER.
In West Flanders, not far from Bailleul, a thief was
taken, on whom was found the foot of one that had been
haViged, which he used for the purpose of putting people
to sleep.
Two fellows once came to Huy, who pretended to be
exceedingly fatigued, and when they had supped would
not retire to a sleeping room, but begged their host would
allow them to take a nap on the hearth. But the maid-
servant, who did not like the looks of the two guests, re-
mained by the kitchen door and peeped through a chink,
when she saw that one of them drew a thief s hand from
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. Ji/0
his pocket, tlie fingers of wliich, after having rubbed them
with an ointment, he lighted, and they all burned except
one. Again they held this finger to the fire, but still it
would not burn, at which they appeared much surprised,
and one said : " There must surely be some one in the
house who is not yet asleep.'^ They then hung the hand
with its four burning fingers by the chimney, and went
out to call their associates. But the maid followed them
instantly and made the door fast, then ran up-stairs, where
the landlord slept, that she might wake him, but was
unable, notwithstanding all her shaking and calling.
In the mean time the thieves had returned and were
endeavouring to enter the house by a window^ but the
maid cast them down from the ladder. They then took
a difi'erent course, and would have forced an entrance, had
it not occurred to the maid that the burning fingers might
probably be the cause of her master^s profound sleep. Im-
pressed with this idea she ran to the kitchen, and blew
them out, when the master and his men-servants instantly
awoke, and soon drove away the robbers.
In the village of Alveringen there formerly lived a sor-
ceress, who had a thief s finger, over which nine masses
had been read. For being acquainted with the sacristan,
she had wrapt it in a cloth and laid it on the altar, telling
him it was a relic. With this finger she performed won-
derful things. When she had lighted it — for such fingers
burn like a candle — every one in the house where she
might be was put to sleep. She would then steal money
and everything else that she fancied, until she was at last
detected, and the stolen property found in her possession.
THE MAGIC SWORD.
Mynheer Hincke Van Wurben had a magic sword that
27G NETHERLAXDISII TRADITIONS.
had been given to him by a monk. It had been bought
at the hour in ^vhich Mars ruled ; the cross was forged on
a Tuesday, and on that day was finished; in the hilt a
piece of wood was enclosed that had been struck by
thunder. All this was performed in the hour of ]\Iars.
A sword so prepared causes the sw^ords of all opponents to
lly in pieces.
If a man desires not to be wounded by any one, let him
bind on his right arm a serpent^ s skin covered over with a
tanned eel-skin. Then let an iron token be forged from
a piece of an exccutioner^s sword, but in the hour of ]\Iars,
and set it in a ring. Then if the person be about to light,
let him press the ring against his forehead, and place it
on the finsrer next to the little fin2:er of his right hand.
Round the ring let there be engraven the words, " 0 Cas-
tres, prince of arms, through the God of Abraham, Isaac
and Jacob. ^^
WITCHES' OINTMENT.
Sorceresses destroy with their ceremonies both baptized
and unbaptized children (especially the former, when a
cross has not been made or a prayer said over them), as
well in the cradle as by the side of their parents, whence
the latter often think that they have smothered the child.
When the infant is buried, the witches steal the corpse
out of the coffin, put it into a kettle, and boil it until the
flesh falls from the bones. From the more solid parts of
this decoction they make an ointment, by means of which
they exercise their arts, transform themselves, etc. The
fluid they pour into bottles, and whoever drinks of it and
lets certain ceremonies be performed over him by the sor-
ceresses, becomes initiated in their arts and a master
thereof.
MILK-TAKING.— MILK BEATEN.
An old sorceress would from envy take the milk from a
neighbour's cow, and for this purpose went with a knife
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 277
before the place in wliich the cow was, placed herself
towards the moonlight, and repeated these words:
Hier snyd ick een spaen Here cut I a chip
In mollekens ghewaen. In the dairy's wall,
Ende een ander daer toe. And another thereto.
So neem ick liet melck van So take I the milk from this cow.
deser koe.
The owner of the cow hearing this, took a thick cord and
ran to the sorceress, whom he beat unmercifully, at the
same time saying :
Hier slaen ick eenen slach. Here strike I a stroke,
Ende eenen andern als ick mach. And another as I may,
Ende den derden daer toe. And a third thereto.
So behoud ick d' melck metter So keep I the milk mth the cow.
koe.
This was the best method he could adopt.
When a sorceress steals milk, there is no better way to
punish her than the one I am about to communicate.
AYlien such a woman has by her arts milked all the milk
from a cow, the cow must soon after be milked again. Let
the milk thus obtained be set on the fire and made Avarm,
and when it is sufficiently warm, beat it with a stick until
not a drop is left in the vessel. The milk that is flowing
on the ground may also be beaten, for the more the beat-
ing the better, as every stroke given to the milk the
sorceress gets on her back from the devil. It has often
happened here (Laeken) that sorceresses have been con-
fined to their bed for a week and more, from having been
so beaten ^
CORN-STEALING.
A sorceress walked round a field that was full of ripe
corn, repeating the verse " Super aspidem,'' etc. On her
return home she instantly went up into the loft, took a
1 See p. 77, and Grimm, D. M. p. 1025.
278 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
tube, and repeated the same verse, when all the corn fell
through the tube down before her, not a grain being left
in the field.
A SORCERESS CAUGHT.
About the end of the 16th century the following event
took place in West Flanders. A peasant was sitting ^nth
his son drinking in an alehouse, and, as was the custom,
made a mark on his dung-fork with chalk for every jug
of beer he drank. When about leaving the house he called
for the hostess, and asked her how much he had drunk ;
but the hostess asked him in her turn, how many marks
he had on his fork. The peasant refused to tell her, and
the woman grew angry, and said in her rage : ^^ For this
thou shalt not reach home to-night, be assured of that, or
I'll never come back." The peasant laughed at this,
threw the money on the table for what he had really con-
sumed, and went away.
But when he came to the water and entered the boat,
he could not move it from the shore, and therefore called
to three soldiers who happened to be passing : " Halloo,
comrades, will you help me to push my boat off? I will
gladly give you a drink of beer." The soldiers came to
his aid, but all was in vain, for the boat was and continued
fixed. ^' Wait a moment," said one of the soldiers, panting
and sweating with exertion, ^^ let us throw the things out
of the boat that are lying there in the middle ; then it will
no doubt go better." They did so, and scarcely had they
thrown out the last ])icce wlien they discovered an enor-
mous toad in the bottom of the boat, with eyes like glow-
ing coals. One of the soldiers, drawing his sword, stabbed
the monster through the body and cast it into the water,
where the others gave it many wounds in the belly ; for it
swam in the water on its back.
They now again applied themselves to move the boat,
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 279
when it went without any trouble, at which the peasant
was so pleased, that taking the soldiers by the arm, he
returned with them to the alehouse. After he had ordered
some beer, he inquired of the maid where her mistress
was. " Ah,^^ said she, " my mistress is in bed at the point
of death.-" "Haha,^^ said the peasant, laughing, "dost
thou think I am not sober ? Why I saw her not a quarter
of an hour ago, and she was then quite lively and well,
and gave me a precious scolding." " It is so, neverthe-
less," answered the maid, " you may see her yom'self, if
you like."
Thereupon the peasant and the three soldiers went into
the room where the woman was lying and piteously moan-
ing with pain ; for she had many wounds precisely corre-
sponding to those that had been inflicted on the toad.
The peasant asked the maid how it had all happened, but
she answered she knew not, as her mistress had not been
out of the house.
The peasant then hastened to the magistrate, to whom
he related the affair, whence it appeared evident that the
toad was no other than the hostess, who had assumed the
form of that reptile, for the purpose of preventing the man
from returning home.
WITCHERY EXPELLED.
Sorceresses melt lead and pour it into cold water, where
it immediately assumes a human form. They then ask
the person bewitched, into what part of his or her body,
who has caused the evil, they wish it to be sent. When
the patient has told them this, they make a cut or prick
with a knife in that part of the leaden image, at the same
time saying where the party is that has inflicted the evil,
but without mentioning their name. The perpetrator then
gets the evil ^
1 See vol. ii. p. 47.
280 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
THE GRAVEDIGGER.
It was on All-Saints^ day, and the gravedigger was ill
with a fever, and his gossip came to see him. " Is it not
unlucky/^ said the gravedigger, ^' that I am ill, and must
go to-night in the cold and snow to dig a grave ? " " 0,
I ^11 do that for you,^^ said the gossip, '' that 's but a little
service." The gravedigger gladly accepted it.
The gossip having provided himself with a spade and
pick-axe, and warmed his inward man a little at the ale-
house, went about ten o^ clock to the churchyard, and had
finished his job by half-past eleven. But just as he was
about to return home there came a long procession of
white friars, each bearing a taper in his hand, who made
the round of the churchyard, and as they passed by the
gossip let their tapers fall before him, and the last threw
him a large ball with two wicks.
The gossip thought within himself, '' Haha, the grave-
digger said nothing about the monks. The wax will pay
me for my labour. In a month or two I will sell it and
get a pretty bit of money out of it, which my wife need
know nothing about." He then gathered up all the pieces,
wrapped them in a cloth, and hid them under his bed.
The next day was the festival of All-Souls. The gossip
had gone early to bed, but could not sleep. As the clock
was striking twelve, three knocks were heard at his door.
The man instantly jumi)ed up, opened the door, and
behold, there stood the white monks of the preceding
night, only that they had no lights. They marched into
the house two and two, then into the chamber, walked
round it, and ranged themselves round the bed, on which
the gossip had fallen backwards through terror. On a
sudden their white mantles fell from their shoulders, and
the gossip saw from under the bed-clothes in which he had
wrapped himself up to the ears, that they were all skele-
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 281
tons^ but to each of which one or other part was wanting,
to one an arm, to another a leg, to another the back-bone,
and to the last the head. At the same time there was a
movement under the bed; the cloth came forth spon-
taneously, and unfolded itself in the middle of the room,
when the gossip saw that the supposed wax lights were
all bones, and the large ball with two wicks a grinning
skull. The skeletons now cried out all together : " Give
me my leg-bone,^^ " Give me my arm-bone,^' " Give me
my back-bone/^ "Give me my rib :^' all of which the
gossip was obliged to give back even to the last piece,
which was the head, and which he replaced on the last
one ; but who had no sooner got it on his shoulders, than
seeing a violin hanging on the wall, he took it down and
handed it to the gossip, that he might play on it, at the
same time placing himself behind him with extended arms,
as if he would beat time. The other skeletons then,
taking each other's hand, began a dance, and made a most
appalling clatter. As to the poor gossip, he lost all sense
of hearing and seeing, but durst not leave off playing;
for every time he slackened he got a box on the ear from
the skeleton behind him. And all this lasted till morning,
when the skeletons put on their cloaks and went away.
The gossip and his wife never uttered a syllable in their
lives about this adventure until their last confession, when
they related the whole to their spiritual father.
THE COFFIN.
Dr. Abraham Van der Meer, an upright and zealous
Reformer, relates in his Memorabilia, that his grand-
mother, while residing at the Hague, being one summer
night unable to sleep, placed herself, about four o'clock in
the morning, at the window, and there saw a coffin coming
up the Spui Straat, but without any one else seeming to
notice it. It moved on untd it stood up erect before a
282 NETHEKLANDISH TRADITIONS.
house, where it vanished in an open window. Before six
weeks had expired every inmate of that house had died of
the plague.
ZEVENBERGEN.
Before arriving at Dort_, there is to be seen by the high
road a large body of water, in the middle of which a lonely
church tower raises its head.
There stood formerly the rich and populous city of
Zevenbergen, the inhabitants of which made use of gold
and silver as if they had been copper. All the latches of
their doors, all the hasps of their windows were of pui'e
gold ; all the nails in their houses, all their kitchen uten-
sils were of silver. In short their riches are not to be
described, and were attended with an arrogance still less
susceptible of description.
At one time it happened that every night a mermaid
came flying, and seated herself on the top of the tower of
the church, which was dedicated to St. Lobbctjen, and
there sang :
Zevenbergen sol vergaeii, Zevenbergen shall perish.
En Lobbetjens toren blyven And Lobbetjen's tower remain
staen. standing.
This song every one heard, but no one heeded it, or, in
consequence of it, turned from his arrogance. At length
God grew weary, and in one night there arose so frightful
a storm of wind and rain, accompanied by thunder, over
the city, that it perished in one instant, all except the
church, which remained standing and yet remains, as the
mermaid had sung. Over the site of the city an expanse
of water spread itself.
Fishermen who navigate the lake assert that they have
frequently seen the glittering gilded roofs of Zevenbergen ;
but no one has ever ventured to descend into its mysterious
depths.
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 283
HOW COUNT BALDWIN OF FLANDERS MARRIED A DEVIL.
When Count Baldwin the Ninth of Flanders had dis-
dainfully refused to marry the beautiful princess Beatrix,
daughter of the king of France, the emperor of Constan-
tinople came and sought her hand and obtained her from
her father. At this Baldwin being much discontented,
took leave of the most potent and noble king of France,
and returned to his town of Noyon, where he remained
three days. On the fourth day, having a great desire to
hunt in the forest of Noyon, he assembled his huntsmen
and followers, and went out with staff in hand accompa-
nied by his hounds. In the forest they lighted on a wild
boar of extraordinary size and power, and quite black. On
hearing the dogs it fled, with the hunters close after it,
but it killed four of the best hounds that were at the
chase. At this the count was bitterly vexed, and swore
that he would never return until he had slain the boar_,
which then ran out of the forest of Noyon and fled into
that of Mormay, and hastened to reach a spot where it
could rest in peace. But the count pursued it with his
staff, leaving his attendants far behind, and now springing
from his horse and grasping his staff with both hands,
said : " Boar, turn hitherwards, for it must gratify thee
to encounter the count of Flanders.^^ The boar instantly
rose and rushed on the count, who struck it with such
force that it fell stunned to the earth. He then killed it,
and placing himself upon it, fell into deep reflection,
emerging from which he was greatly surprised that none
of his followers had joined him. After sitting thus a
w^hile, he looked round and saw a young damsel coming
towards him, quite alone and mounted on a jet-black
palfrey. The count instantly rose to meet her, and taking
hold of the rein of her palfrey, said : " Lady, you are right
welcome to me.^^ And the lady in a soft voice returned
28i NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
his greeting. The count then asked her why she rode so
entirely unattended, and she gently answered : " Sir, such
is the will of the Almighty Father. I am the daughter of
an Eastern king, who would bestow me in marriage against
my will ; but I swore and made an oath to God that I
would never take a husband, unless it were the richest
count in Christendom. I therefore left my home, attended
by a numerous suite, but have now no one with me, having
parted from them, as I feared they might conduct me back
to my father ; for I had made a vow that I would never
return until I had met with the count of Flanders, whom
I had heard so highly praised. ^^
While the count looked on the lady, he thought much
of what she had said, and she pleased him beyond measure,
so that he felt an ardent passion for her, and said : '^ Fair
damsel, I am the count of Flanders whom you seek, and I
am the richest count under heaven, having fourteen coun-
ties subject to me; and as you have been seeking me, I
will, if it be agreeable to you, take you to wife." At this
the lady expressed her satisfaction and willingness, pro-
vided he were what he represented himself. The count
then asked the lady her name, also that of her father, and
over what realm he reigned. She answered him that her
baptismal name was Melius, "but," continued she, "the
name of my father you shall never know ; such is the will
of God, and you must not inquire further, for it may not
be otherwise." The count then, who was possessed by
the evil spirit, setting his horn to his mouth, blew a loud
blast, for his people to come to him ; and there came
Henry count of Valenciennes, Walter of St. Omer^s, and
many others. They asked him whether he had taken no-
thing, and he answered : " Yes, I have taken the noblest
boar in the world, and God has also sent me this fair
damsel whom you here see, and whom, as she is willing,
I mean to make my wife." At this the count of Valen-
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 285
ciennes gazed on the lady^ who was very elegantly attired,
and rode on a palfrey than which none could be more
beautiful. Notwithstanding all this, the count greatly
blamed the count of Flanders for his intention of making
her his lawful wife, and said, " Sir, how do you know who
she is ? she is perhaps a young damsel who might be yours
for money. If she pleases you, retain her as long as it
may be agreeable to you, and then let her go ; for so great
a prince as you must act wisely." Then said the count
of Flanders to the count of Valenciennes : " Speak more
discreetly, for my heart bids me to marry this damsel."
At this his followers were much afflicted. The count then
went away, taking with him the head of the boar, and
proceeded to Cambray, accompanied by the lady, whom he
married, and celebrated their nuptials with great feastings.
She soon became pregnant, and at the end of nine months
gave birth to a daughter, who at her baptism received the
name of Jane, and had afterwards a second daughter, who
was named Margaret. In the thirteen years, during w^hich
this woman lived with Baldwin, she laid heavy burthens
on the people and did much evil in the country, for which
the count was severely blamed. She w^ent, indeed, to
church and heard divine service, and also partook of the
holy sacrament, until the elevation of the host in the
mass ; but then she would leave the church, at which the
people greatly w^ondered and expressed themselves very
mysteriously.
At this time the emperor of Constantinople was in great
trepidation, because Acquillan, Sultan of Sura, had laid
siege to Constantinople with a hundred thousand Saracens,
and laid waste all the surrounding country. The emperor
therefore summoned all his friends, and assembled an army
of forty thousand Christians. But one day, making a
sally and engaging with the Saracens, he was slain in the
conflict ; whereupon his army returned, bearing the body
286 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
of their emperor, whom they honourably buried, and then
proceeded to adopt measures for the further defence of the
city ; for the Sultan Acquillan had sworn not to depart
before he had taken Constantinople ; but the Christians,
nevertheless, still found means to defend it.
During this time, Baldwin with his wife Melius Was in
the county of Flanders. There it befell that, on Easter day
in the year of grace 1188, the count of Flanders and the
countess Melius with a noble train were at their palace of
Wynandael, and thither many counts and barons, vassals
of the count, were summoned and came accordingly. On
this day the count held a splendid court, and when the
hour of repast arrived, he placed himself with his guests
at table. While thus sitting, there appeared before him
an aged hermit leaning on a staff, and apparently a hun-
dred years old, who prayed the count, in the name of God,
to give him a dinner. The count graciously granted his
request, and bade one of the attendants take care of the
old man, and a place was assigned him at a table opposite
to the count, but apart from the rest. The countess had
not then entered the hall, but she came shortly after, and
seated herself by the count, as was her wont. ^Yhen the
hermit saw her he was struck with fear, and instantly
began to tremble, and repeatedly crossed himself, and
could neither eat nor drink. And when the lady saw the
hermit, she was sorely disquieted, for she feared he would
cause her some great calamity, and therefore prayed the
count to send him away, saying : ^^ Sir, he knows more
artifices than any one besides, and I cannot look upon
him ; I therefore beseech you to order his departure. ^^
At this the count said: "Wife, it is good to bestow
alms on those that ask them ; but he who receives and
needs them not is foolish ; therefore it is my pleasure that
the hermit be served and recruit his strength." The count
then turning towards the hermit, who sat apparently lost
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 287
in thought, and neither ate nor drank, said to him : " My
good man, why eat you not ? Conceal it not from me, if
you desire aught else ; ask for it, and it shall be given
jou." The hermit then rose, and addressing the count
and all the nobles present, exhorted them to cease from
eating and drinking, for that they were in great peril, and
then continued : " But dread not before it is time to dread,
for that w^hich ye will soon see will inspire you with great
dread. Nevertheless, put your trust in God and it cannot
harm you.''^ At this address all were wonder-struck, and
every one sat silent and still, and ceased from eating and
drinking. The hermit then conjured the countess in the
name of the Almighty, and said to her : " Thou devil, who
sojournest in the body of this woman, I conjure thee, in
the name of the Lord, who for us suffered a painful death
on the cross, who drove thee from his holy paradise, with
all the evil spirits who had sinned through their pride ;
and by the holy sacraments, which God hath appointed ;
and by his great power, which will endure for ever, that
thou depart from this company, and that ere thou goest,
thou confess before all these lords why the count of Flan-
ders hath been seduced by thee, that all may know it ;
and that thou go to the place whence thou earnest, with-
out touching aught with harmful hand, whatsoever it
may be.^'
Allien the lady heard herself thus exorcised, without
the power of resistance, or of doing further injury to the
count, or of remaining longer in Flanders, she began to
speak and confess before all, saying : " I am one of the
angels that God cast from paradise, from which circum-
stance we suffer more misery than any one can conceive,
and would gladly see every one treading in our path, that
God might, together with all others, also forgive us. Nor
for thus seeking help can any one justly blame us. The
count in this case could but ill guard against us when he
288 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
yielded to the sin of pride, and refused to marry the
daughter of the king of France. God then permitted that
I should enter the body of a royal maiden of the East who
had died, and was one of the fairest on earth. I entered
her corpse in the night and raised it np_, and it had no
other soul than me ; for her soul was where it was destined
to be. And the count could not withstand the temptation
to make her his wife, and I left him but little enjoyment of
life for thirteen years, and have inflicted much evil on the
land of Flanders; and yet more dearly would he have
paid, had he not been ever mindful of his Creator, and
crossed himself on rising and on lying down to rest. His
two daughters I have lost, in consequence of their having
been baptized. I have nothing more to say, but now re-
turn to the East country, to give this body back to its
grave. '^ Having thus spoken she vanished without doing
injury to any one, only carrying along with her a little
pillar from one of the windows of the hall. At this
the count and all present were struck with amazement,
and rose from table, and the count bending his head to
the good hermit, prayed him to say what it were best
for him to do ; when the hermit counselled him to go to
the pope and from him obtain pardon for his sins ; and
then took his departure.
For three days the count continued lost in reflection
within his palace ; on the fourth he proceeded to Bruges.
While there he was much ridiculed and insulted; the
people pointed at him in the streets, and the children
cried out : " Come and see, there is the count that mar-
ried the devil. ^^ The like took place also in Ghent and
Arras. Seeing this, he made a vow to go to Jerusalem,
and provided for the administration of his dominions ; but
he first went to Rome, where the pope received him with
great honour, and took him into his private chamber,
where the count confessed to him his sins. At his con-
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 289
fession the holy father was much astonished^ and imposed
on him, as an atonement, to journey to Constantinople
and aid the noble empress, the daughter of the king of
France, who was besieged by the Sultan Acquillan. The
pope then remitted all his sins, and Baldwin proceeded on
liis way to Constantinople.
The count of Flanders, to whom the foregoing legend relates, was the
same who was raised to the dignity of emperor of the East, and who
perished so miserably, having been taken prisoner by the Bulgarians in
the battle of Adrianople (a. 1206), and after the mutilation of his limbs,
left a prey to the beasts of the forest. His wife was not a devil, but Man'
of Champagne, a daughter of the sister of the French king, Philip Au-
gustus. The story of his escape from prison, return to Flanders, and exe-
cution, as an impostor, at Lisle, is well known. Tieck's tale, ' Der Grie-
chische Kaiser,' is founded on this tradition.
THE POACHER OF WETTEREN-OVERBEKE.
At Wetteren-Overbeke there was a poacher who had
been out the whole day but shot nothing. His ill-luck
made him obstinate, so that he stayed in the field, in the
hope of meeting with some game, and not being obliged
to return home without having taken something. It was
just midnight, when by the moonlight he saw a hare
frisking about amiong the clover. He aimed at the animal
and fired, but the recoil of his piece against his shoulder
was so strong that it felled him to the ground. On rising
and examining the piece, he found that the barrel was be-
come quite crooked. This seemed very unaccountable to
him, as he had not loaded it with a heavier charge than
usual. At the same instant, the animal, that he thought
dead, started up, and, instead of running away, came to-
wards him. WTiat sees he next ? The hare was trans-
formed to a black ball slowly rolling along ! The poor
poacher took to his heels in terror, fully convinced it was
no other than the devil himself that was in chase of him.
The ball in the mean while continued rolling after him,
o
290 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
and grew bigger and bigger. At length, \^^th the sweat
pouring from him through fear and running, he succeeded
in climbing up a tall tree, where he hoped to be in safety ;
but the black ball came rolling on to the tree, and was
now become so great that it darkened all before the eyes
of the poacher. Deadly terror now seized him ; " this
monster," thought he, " can be no other than a warning
from heaven, because I have transgressed the laws of my
superiors." Then falling on his knees, he made a vow
never to poach again, when the black ball instantly dis-
appeared.
THE BLOODY COACH AT ANTWERP.
This is a wonderfully beautiful carriage with four horses.
In it sits a lady richly clad, who carries with her many
sweetmeats and dainties, for the purpose of enticing
such children as are out playing late in the streets; to
whom she also promises that she will give them at her
castle her little daughter for a playmate. If her artifice
fails, she will drag them into the carriage by force, and
stop their mouths, to prevent their crying out. She then
conveys the poor little creatures far away to a great castle,
where their great toes are cut off and they are suffered to
bleed to death. Their blood is used as a bath for a great
king, who is suffering from a grievous malady. It is ob-
served that the children, whose blood can cure him, must
all be under seven years of age.
THE SAND-GATE AT MECHLIN.
In the sixteenth century the Sand-gate at Mechlin was
used as a powder-magazine. In the night of the 7th
August, 1546, a terrific storm burst over the city, and the
Hghtning struck the Sand-gate. A tremendous stroke
shook the whole earth around, the tower fiew in a thou-
sand fragments in all directions, a sliower of hot stones
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 291
fell on the city, and several hundred houses were either
shattered to pieces or greatly damaged. The city ditches
were dried up, and the fishes were found lying about
boiled or roasted. Above four hundred persons were in-
stantly struck dead, many others died afterwards of the
injuries they had suffered ; while others, as cripples, bore
to the end of their lives the marks of this calamity.
Shortly after this event some merchants from Friesland
arrived at Mechlin, who anxiously desired to see the spot
where the Sand-gate had stood. Having been conducted
thither, they related that at the very hour when the Sand-
gate was shivered to atoms, they were near a mill in Fries-
land, where they saw many devils in the air directing their
flight towards IMechlin. Of these one was heard to call
to his companion in a horrible voice : " Ha, Krombeen
(Crooked-leg), take the mill along with you.'' To which
Krombeen answered, " I can't, I can't, I must hasten to
Mechlin ; Kortstaert (Short-tail) is behind us ; the mill is
left for him." And in fact, the mill was struck down on
the same night.
During this storm, which did injury not only in Mech-
lin, but in the whole country around, the sacristans of the
village churches ran to sound the alarm bells. The sa-
cristan of Putte would also do the like ; yet notwithstand-
ing all his efforts, the good man could not get into the
church, but was twice held back. In his vexation he ex-
claimed : ^' Surely here must be more than one devil at
work." A devil, who was sitting in a tree close by,
hearing the words, answered : '' No, there you are wrong,
I am here quite alone, the others arc all off to Mechlin."
CHESS WITH THE DEVIL.
In the forest of Clairmarais, near Cambray, are to be
seen the ruins of a convent of the same name, concerning
the origin of which there is the following tradition : —
293 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
On the spot where it stoocl^ a magnificent castle once
raised its lofty towers, but that was long, very long ago,
more than seven hundred years having passed since that
time. In this castle dwelt a powerful knight, who had a
beautiful wdfc, but who was exceedingly haughty, and too
proud to associate with any person that was not, like her-
self, noble. The knight had once ridden out, and when
evening came had not returned. In the mean time an-
other knight begged for admission into the castle, which
the lady readily granted, and let him come into her bed-
chamber. There the stranger soon began w^th flattering
words to gain the lady^s favour, and at length told her,
that out in the forest he had met with an old man, who
loudly swore he would be revenged on her for having
driven him from the castle. He had also declared that he
was father to the lady of the castle, and that she w^as not
of noble blood, but that he had exchanged her for a dead
child with her supposed father, while she w^as yet in the
cradle. With such and other discourses the stranger, who
called himself Brudemer, so instigated the woman, that
she hurried with him to the gate, and there stabbed her
father. They then hurried back into the castle, and sat
down to a game of chess.
After some time the door flew open, and the lord of
Clairmarais entered the apartment with looks of fury.
At the sight of him Brudemer burst into a loud laugh,
while the noble lady was ready to sink into the earth, and
grew deadly pale. But the knight approaching her, cried
out, at the same time raising his sword : " Let the devil
fetch thee, thou parricide, thou adulteress ! " But before
he could strike, Brudemer seized her by the head, saying :
'' I accept her,^^ and vanished with her accompanied by an
appalling clap of thunder.
Not until late on the following day did the knight
wake out of the state of stupefaction, into which these
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 293
dreadful occurrences had thrown him, and then he resolved
on having no more intercourse with the world. He after-
wards entered into the monastery of the holy St. Bcrtin^
where he died a happy death.
The castle was then forsaken, no one being willing to
dwell in it ; for every night an awful tumult was heard
there, nor did any one return who ventured to enter it.
At length a pious Benedictine had the courage one
evening to explore the castle. After having passed through
many apartments, he sat down to rest in a small cabinet.
Shortly after his entrance the door flew open, and a tall
personage, on whose breast hung an escutcheon bearing
the name of Brudemer, and with a deadly pale lady on
his arm, stept in. Behind them came a brilliant train of
servants, and these were followed by eight young men,
bearing heavy chests on their shoulders. The knight
pointed to a table, on which there v*^as a chess-board, and
then to a chair standing by the table, in which the monk
immediately placed himself. The knight sat down in one
opposite, and both began to play. The monk played with
the utmost caution, and calculated every move most care-
fully, and soon felt confident that he should overcome his
adversary, when the lady pointed to a pawn, which the
knight immediately moved. This changed the entire face
of the game, and placed the monk in the greatest jeopardy ;
for he well knew that his soul would belong to the evil
one, if he lost. At this move, too, the whole company gave
a loud laugh. The monk now began to repent of his
temerity, but resolved on making a virtue of necessity, so
after a fervent prayer, pushed a pawn against that of his
opponent. The knight seeing this became thoughtful, for
the game was now again in favour of the monk, and every
move improved the position of the latter, let him do what-
ever he might. When both had now made some further
moves, and the game was manifestly in the hands of the
294 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
pious ecclesiastic, there came at once a violent shock, the
monk was thrown down, and everything vanished.
On the following morning the fortunate player found a
female skeleton in rags and tatters lying by the side of the
overthrown chess-table, and at the door eight chests full
of gold and silver. He buried the dry bones in the castle
yard, and then transformed the castle into a cloister, at-
tached to which he erected a beautiful church, and became
the first prior.
FALKENBERG.
A.t the old castle of Falkenberg, in the province of Lim-
burg, a spectre w^alks by night, and a voice from the ruins
is heard to cry : '' Murder ! murder 1 " and it cries towards
the north and the south, and the east and the west ; and
before the crier there go tw^o small flames, which accom-
pany him whithersoever he turns. And this voice has
cried for six hundred years, and so long have also the two
flames w^andered.
Six hundred years ago the beautiful castle stood in its
full glory, and was inhabited by two brothers of the noble
race of Falkenberg. Their names were Waleram and
Reginald, and they both loved AlLx, the daughter of the
count of Cleves. But Waleram was the favoured lover.
His mother and the father of Alix readily consented to
their union, and shortly after, the ceremony was performed
with a splendour becoming their rank.
But lleginald meditated dark vengeance both on his
brotlier and Alix ; and when the feast was over and the
young pair were about to be led to the bridal chamber, he
hastened before them and concealed himself behind the
bed. Lost in sweet dreams of love and happiness, the
youthful couple thought not on their cruel brother, and
hardly had they ascended the nu})tial couch, when llegi-
nald rushed forth and planted his dagger first in the breast
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 295
of Waleram, and then in that of Alix. Waleram^s first
impulse was to clap his hand on his flowing wound^ his
next to grasp the murderer, with whose face his bloody
hand came in contact ; but his strength failed him, and
he sank back lifeless. Reginald fled, after having cut a
lock from the head of the unfortunate Alix.
On the following day there was loud lament and deep
sorrow in the castle of Falkenberg ; for every one loved
Waleram on account of his kind and benevolent heart, and
Alix, whose soul was as beautiful as her body. No one
doubted that Reginald was the assassin, and men were
sent in every direction to seize him, but he was nowhere
to be found.
At this time there dwelt in a forest near Falkenberg a
holy hermit, who day and night lay in prayer before the
altar of a little chapel that stood near his hermitage. It
was near midnight, when some one knocked at the door
of the chapel, and in the name of heaven prayed for ad-
mission. The recluse rose from prayer, opened the door,
and recognised Reginald, who, shedding bitter tears, in-
stantly fell at his feet, and besought him to hear his con-
fession. The hermit raised him and led him to a seat,
and Reginald confessed all, and as a proof, showed him
the form of a hand stamped with blood on his countenance,
and which he could not with any water wash away. Wlien
the man of God had heard all, he said, shuddering : " It
is not granted to me to absolve from sin so enormous ;
but pass the night with me in prayer ; it may be that God
will then give me to know what you shall do in order to
obtain his forgiveness.^^ With these words he knelt before
the altar, and Reginald knelt by his side: they both
prayed.
When day began to dawn, the hermit rose and said :
^' This is the behest of heaven. You shall go hence a
296 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
humble and pious pilgrim, and ever journey towards tlie
north, until you find no more earth on which to tread : a
sign will then announce to you the rest/^ Reginald
answered : " Amen/^ craved the holy mail's blessing, stept
to the lamp at the altar, where he burned the lock he had
taken of Alix^s hair, as he had been commanded by the
hermit, then left the chapel and journeyed as a pilgrim
on and on, and ever towards the north. And with him
went two forms, one white on his right hand, one black
on his left ; and the black figure whispered in his ear much
about his youth and the joys of the world, while his white
attendant exliorted him to repentance, and to continue his
journey, and set before his soul the everlasting joy of
the blessed.
Thus had he journeyed for many a day, and many a
week, and many a month, when one morning he found no
more earth under his feet, and saw the wide ocean before
him. At the same moment a boat approached the shore,
and a man that sat in it made a sign to him, and said :
" We were expecting thee.'' Then Reginald knew that this
was the sign, and stept into the boat, still attended by the
two forms ; and they rowed to a large ship with all her
sails set ; and when they were in the ship, the boatman
disappeared and the ship sailed away. Reginald with his
two attendants descended into a room below, where stood
a table and chairs. Each of the two forms then taking a
seat at the table, the black one drew forth a pair of dice,
and they began playing for the soul of Reginald.
Six hundred years has that ship been sailing without
either helm or helmsman, and so long have the two been
playing for Reginald's soul. Their game will last till the
last day. ]\Iariners that sail on the North Sea often meet
with the infernal vessel.
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. ^\)7
THE MONK OF AFFLIGIIEM.
Towards the close of the eleventh century a most extra-
ordinary event took place at the abbey of Afflighem.
It was one day announced to the pious Fulgentius, who
at that time was abbot, that a stranger monk of venerable
aspect had knocked at the gate and been admitted, who
said he was one of the brethren of the cloister. The abbot
caused him to be brought before him, and asked him who
he was and whence he came ? whereunto the monk an-
swered, that he had that morning sung matins with the
rest of the brotherhood ; that when they came to the verse
of the 89th Psalm, where it is said : " A thousand years
in thy sight are but as yesterday," he had fallen into deep
meditation, and continued sitting in the quire when all the
others had departed. A little bird had then appeared to
him, which sang most sweetly, and which, because it had
so delighted him, he had followed into the forest, from
whence, after a short stay, he was now returned, but
found the abbey so changed that he no longer knew it.
On Fulgentius asking him about his abbot, and also the
name of the king that reigned at the time, it was found, to
their great astonishment, that both had been dead three
hundred years before.
The monk was startled, and said : " Verily I now see
that a thousand years are as yesterday in the sight of the
Lord.'' He then prayed the abbot to impart to him the
holy sacraments, and, after partaking of them, died a holy
and edifying death.
A similar legend is related of the abbey of Heisterbach, opposite Bonn,
and of some other abbeys. The story has been well paraphrased in German
verse by E. Wegener. See Nordischer Telegraph, No. 31.
ST. JULIAN THE FERRYMAN.
Many hundred years ago there lived in the province of
Saiutonge a young and rich nobleman, whose name was
o 5
298 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
Julian. His chief delight was in the chase, and he found
little pleasure in prayer and exercises of piety.
One day, when following a hart, he penetrated far into
the deep forest ; but when he seemed to be on the point
of capturing it, the animal suddenly stood still, turned its
head, and in an audible voice said to Julian : '' Stop,
Julian, and cease from pursuing me. Think rather of
averting thy appalling destiny; for I announce unto thee,
that with thy own hand thou wilt slay both father and
mother.^'
Julian was horror-struck at this dreadful prediction, and
turning his horse, rode home, firmly resolved to flee from
his native country and never to return, that he might avoid
the fate which, according to the words of the hart, hung
over him. AVitliout saying a word to his parents, without
considering how he was to support himself, he let his horse
go whithersoever it would, until from fatigue it could pro-
ceed no further. Having no money, he sold it and bought
a lute, with which he continued his journey, ever straight
forwards; for his sole remaining wish was to withdi'aw
himself from his paternal abode as far as possible.
A year had passed, when one evening, faint and ill, he
reached a castle in the Ardennes. The lord of the castle,
a man of kind disposition, received him hospitably, and
desired his daughter, whose name was Basilissa, to take
charge of the poor minstrel ; for he was an enthusiastic
lover of music, both instrumental and vocal. But when
the beautiful maiden brought him the cup to drink, and
manifested such tender solicitude for him, his heart was
seized with a glowing passion, and he seemed at tlie same
moment to be perfectly recovered. "When, however, he
called to mind that now, without name or rank, he could
never aspire to the hand of Basilissa, his heart was ready
to break. For a long time he knew not what course to
follow, but at length resolved on parting from her and
NlJTU±:KL.Ai\l>iSU XltAUliiUA^s.
again setting ont on his lonely wandering. On tlie third
day, therefore, after his arrival he went to the lord of the
castle, for the purpose of taking leave; but the good
knight would not allow him to depart, pressing him to
prolong his stay, a request in which Basilissa joined, and
which Julian found himself quite unable to withstand.
Some days after, there was a great feast at the castle,
and Julian sang at the table and played such sweet melo-
dies that all were enraptured. On the following morning
a splendid joust was to be held, of which, when Julian was
apprized, his old passion rose within him, and he prayed
the lord of the castle to be allowed to break a lance. The
permission was granted, and he bore himself so gallantly
that the prize was awarded to him in preference to every
other. With equal bravery he conducted himself in a feud,
in which his host was shortly afterwards engaged, and vv^ho
at length conceived such a regard for him that he gave
him his only daughter, the beautiful Basilissa, in marriage.
Shortly after these events his father-in-law died, and Julian
became lord of the castle and surrounding country.
The remembrance of the dreadful prediction was, how-
ever, never absent from his mind, and fervent as were his
longings to see his parents again, he never ventured even
to ask tidings of them, fearing always that the words of
the hart might prove true. To free himself from this de-
pressing thought, he had recourse to his former pastime,
the chase.
To Julian's parents the loss of their son was a severe
blow. Their happiness was at an end, and they finally
resolved to seek him, and not to return till they had found
him. Clad as pilgrims, they set out on their wanderings ;
they went from province to province, from city to city,
from village to village, everywhere inquiring after their
lost son, but no one could give them any tidings. At
length they arrived in Belgium. When straying in the
300 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
forest of Ardennes, they inquired of a rustic whether he
could inform them of a shelter, and he directed them to
the neighbouring castle, where they arrived faint and help-
less in the morning. The castle was their son^s. They
knocked and were admitted by the porter. Julian had
been out in the forest since sunrise ; the servants therefore
waked Basilissa, who soon came forth and gave the aged
couple a friendly reception. When they had recruited their
strength they related their history to the lady of the castle,
and how they had been wandering for four years in search
of their son. Basilissa immediately knew them for the
parents of her consort ; for he had frequently spoken to
her of his departure from home, though without divulging
the cause. Overjoyed at the thought of bearing such glad
tidings to her husband, and at the same time of so agree-
ably surprising the venerable pair, she kept silence, and
caused them to lie down in her own bed, that they might
rest their weary limbs. Awaiting Julianas return, she
then went to church, there to render thanks for the happy
event.
Julianas horse had in the mean time wounded itself by
stumbling over a stone, through which accident he was
compelled to return. On arriving at the castle, he in-
stantly proceeded to his bedchamber, where he expected
still to find his wife, when seeing in his bed a man with a
woman dressed in Basilissa's clothes, he instantlv thoudit
that she was faithless, and grasping his sword, in his blind
fury he stabbed both the sleepers.
Could he have a presentiment how terribly he had ful-
filled the prediction ? for scarcely had he done the deed
when he was seized with bitter repentance. Pursued by
the wail and last groans of his victims, lie was rushing
from the castle, when the pious Basilissa returning from
church stept up to him. Julian started as one wlu) trusted
not his own eyesight. She wished to draw him into their
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIOXS. 301
bedchamber, that be migbt enjoy tbe pleasure of again
seeing bis parents ; but be beld ber back, requesting only
an answer to tbe question, wbo tbe sleepers were tbat be
bad found tbere ? When Basilissa had informed him what
they had related to ber, he fell to the earth as if struck
by lightning. Trembling with a dreadful presentiment,
she hurried to the chamber; she shook them both, but
she shook two corpses, and with a cry of horror she threw
herself on the blood-stained bed.
It was long before Julian recovered his recollection.
He then with tearful eyes confessed all, and communi-
cated to her the hart^s prediction. ^'^ And now," said he,
" farewell, beloved of my heart, and pray for me and for-
give me j for I go from this place to atone for my sins.""^
Basilissa then falling on his neck answered : " No, that
you shall not do, my beloved husband ; but if you persist
in doing so, I will be your companion whithersoever you
go." And she was so, and on the following morning left
the castle with Julian, and they continued their journey
till they came to a little river called the Dender, and to
the spot on which the town of Ath now stands. At that
time pilgrims, on their way to the image of our blessed
Lady of Hal, had, at the risk of their lives, to ford the
river, there being no bridge there. For which reason
Julian formed the resolution to build a hut on the bank
and buy a boat, in which to ferry the pilgrims across, by
which pious work he hoped to obtain forgiveness of his
great sin.
For seven years he had ferried from one bank to the
other, when one dark, rainy night, after be had retired
fatigued with Basilissa to their bed of straw, they heard
from the opposite bank a person in a mournful voice beg-
ging to be ferried over. Julian instantly rose, dressed
himself, and, in spite of wind and weather, turned his boat
towards the left bank of the river. Basihssa knelt by bis
302 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
side in the frail skifT and prayed ; for the water raged so
wildly that they expected to sink at every instant. On
reaching the other shore they found an old pilgrim with
dripping garments, lying on the earth and groaning pite-
ously. They immediately threw their cloaks over him and
bore him into the bark, which now appeared to push itself
off, and rapidly yet tranquilly to steer towards the hut ;
though the waves were angrily dashing around it, and the
winds awfully raging. When they reached the bank, Julian
fastened the boat, while Basilissa prepared their straw bed
for the pilgrim, they themselves lying by him on the hard,
cold earth, having previously kindled a fire and refreshed
the aged man with some warm milk.
But suddenly a brilliant light diffused itself in the hut,
the pilgrim rose, his wet garments fell off, and he stood
in divine majesty and splendour. It was the Lord Jesus
himself. Julian and Basilissa fell on their knees trembling ;
but Jesus said: "Thou hast made sufficient atonement,
Julian ; thy sin is forgiven thee, and I await thee and thy
faithful wife." With these words he vanished.
On the following day, as some persons were fishing in
the neighbourhood, they heard melodies of heavenly sweet-
ness issuing from the hut. On approaching and opening-
it, they found husband and wife kneeling, dead, encircled
with a heavenly light. They buried them honourably.
At a later period many miracles have taken place at their
grave, and on the spot where the hut had stood was erected
the beautiful church still existing of the hospitable, holy
Julian.
LOHENGRIN AND ELSA.— LOHENGRIN AND BELAYE.
Many hundred years ago there was a duke of Brabant
and Limburg, who had a beautiful daughter named Elsa.
When this duke lay on his death-bed, he commended his
daughter to one of his vassals, whose name was Frederic of
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. OUD
Telramonde^ and who was everywhere known and honoured
as a vahant warrior, but was particularly esteemed, because
at Stockholm in Sweden he had overcome a fierce dragon,
and thereby acquired a hero's fame. But Frederic soon
became proud and presumptuous, and would make Elsa
his wife, and even falsely asserted that she had engaged
her word to be faithful to him. But Elsa charged him
with falsehood, and gave no ear to his suit. At this
Frederic was bitterly exasperated, and more resolved than
ever to compel her to give him her hand. With this ob-
ject he laid a complaint before the emperor Henry, sur-
named the Fowler ^, and obtained from him a decree that
Elsa should choose a champion, who in honourable combat
should engage with Frederic, that the voice of God might
decide either for or against him. But Elsa would select
no champion, placing her sole hope in fervent prayer to
the Lord, from whom alone she expected help and support.
One day at Montsalva on the Graal the bells were rung
w^hich are always a token that some one is in need of
immediate aid, and Lohengrin, the son of Parcival, w^as
chosen as deliverer of the oppressed. While his horse w^as
standing ready for its rider, w4io was in the act of setting
his foot in the stirrup, behold, a swan appeared on the
v/ater, drawing a little boat after it. Lohengrin regarded
this as a sign from heaven, and ordered his horse to be led
back to its stable, for he would enter the boat and follow
the swan. And he did so, and commended himself to
God, and in firm reUance on him, took no food with him.
After the swan had conducted him for five days, it plunged
its bill into the w^ater and drew out a small fish, which it
shared with Lohengrin, and then continued its course.
But let us now return to Elsa, the daughter of the duke
of Brabant and Limburg.
Elsa had in the mean while called all her vassals to-
1 He reigned from 919 to 936.
301 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
gcther ; for one day passed after another^ and no one came
forward in her cause. But when these had assembled,
there came the swan with the boat swimming up the
Scheldt, having Lohengrin on board, sleeping on his
shield. When the swan reached the bank, Lohengrin
woke, sprang on shore, and was received by Elsa with
unutterable joy and gratification. His helmet, shield and
sword were then brought from the boat, when the swan
disappeared, returning by the way it came.
When the first demonstrations of joy were over, Lohen-
grin asked the duchess under what evil she was suffering,
and learned from her how Frederic was striving to ensnare
her, and had falsely accused her to the emperor, and that
now her cause was to be decided by the judgement of God.
Lohengrin then assured her that he would be her cham-
pion, when Elsa immediately assembled all her kindred
and subjects, who came to Saarbriicken, whence in a body
they proceeded to Mentz. The emperor, who was keeping
his court at Frankfurt, came also thither, and the day for
the combat was fixed, and the lists erected. After both
champions had asserted the justness of their cause, the
conflict began; but Lohengrin proved victorious, and
Frederic of Telramonde fell, and confessed that he had
falsely accused the duchess Elsa, in punishment for which,
according to the usage of the time, he suffered death by
the axe. In reward, Lohengrin obtained the hand of the
fair Elsa of Brabant, and their nuptials were celebrated
with suitable magnificence. But Lohengrin at the same
time besought his wife never to ask his name nor whence
he came ; for if she did either the one or the other, he
could no longer continue with her.
Lohengrin and Elsa had long lived together in peace
and happiness, and he proved a wise and just prince in
the territories of Brabant and Limburg ; but it chanced
that in a tournament he dangerously wounded the duke of
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 305
Cleves in the arm_, at which the duchess being exasperated^
and at the same time envious of Elsa, said to her : " Your
Lohengrin may be a doughty hero^ and possibly a Chris-
tian also ; but no one knows either whence he springs or
who he isj so strangely did he make his appearance here."
At these words the fair Elsa was sorely troubled, and at
night, when lying in bed with her husband, she wept
bitterly. Lohengrin observing this, said to her: "My
dear wife, why do you weep ?" To which Elsa answered :
" The duchess of Cleves has caused me bitter affliction.'''
Hearing this, Lohengrin was silent and inquired no
further. The following night the same question was asked
and the same answer given, but Lohengrin still preserved
silence, refraining from all further inquiry. But the third
night the fair Elsa, quite unable longer to preserve her
compliance with her husband^s injunction, thus addressed
him : " My beloved lord and husband, I beseech you to
tell me where you were born and from whom you
spring ; for my heart assures me that you must be of a
very noble race.''
At daybreak Lohengrin rose and disclosed to her where
he was born and from whom he sprang, and that Parcival
was his father, that God had sent him to her from the
Graal, and also that he could no longer live with her.
Causing then his two children to be brought to him, he
kissed them affectionately, gave them his horn and his
sword, exhorting them to make a good use of it. To Elsa
he gave a ring which he had formerly received from his
mother. When all this was done, the swan came again
with the boat, into which Lohengrin stept and glided away
down the Scheldt. Elsa had sunk in a swoon ; when she
recovered, she was afflicted and wept bitterly for the loss
of her beloved consort, which she never ceased to deplore.
But Lohengrin arrived in the land of Lyzaboria, where
he espoused the beautiful Belaye, who loved him beyond
306 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
measure, and was particularly cautious not to make any
inquiry respecting his descent, and was always sad when
he was not with her, being in constant fear of his proving
inconstant. But Lohengrin could not always sit at home,
and therefore went frequently to the chase ; at which time
the fair Belaye would utter no word, but would sit as if
life had taken its flight, and she was under the influence
of some evil spell.
One of her women then advised her, that, in order to
attach Lohengrin more closely to her, she should cut a
piece of flesh from his side and eat it. But Belaye was in-
dignant at the suggestion, and declared she would sooner
suffer herself to be buried alive than hurt even a finger of
her husband : she at the same time withdrew from her
woman all her favour and confidence. Hereupon this
treacherous woman went and uttered her base falsehoods
to the friends of the beautiful Belaye, who immediately
resolved to cut off" from Lohengrin a piece of his flesh,
in order that Belaye might recover. Therefore, when the
hero had one day returned fatigued from the chase and
had fallen asleep, they proceeded to their nefarious work.
But Lohengrin at the same time had a dream, in which he
saw thousands of swords directed against him, when start-
ing from his sleep, he darted such fierce looks on those
base men that they all trembled ; then raising his hand,
he laid about him and slew more than a hundred of them.
But they, recovering courage and helping one another,
succeeded in inflicting an incurable wound in his left arm.
On seeing this, they felt in their hearts overcome by the
valour he had displayed, and fell at his feet.
When Belaye was informed of this, she died of grief
and horror, and was embalmed with Lohengrin, placed in
a coffin, and buried with great solemnity. At a later period
a convent was erected over their grave, and the bodies of
both are there still shown to pilgrims. And all this hap-
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 307
pened five himdred years after the birth of our beloved
Lord ^, and from that time the country of Lyzaboria has,
after Lohengrin, been called Lothriugia.
THE KNIGHT AND THE SWAN.
Duke Godfrey of Brabant died leaving no male heirs ;
but had in his testament provided that his territories
should devolve on his duchess and his daughter. To this,
however, his brother, the powerful duke of Saxony, paid
little regard, but, in defiance of the complaints of the
widow and orphan, took possession of the country, which
according to the German law could not be inherited by a
female.
The duchess hereupon resolved to lay her case before
the king, and as Charles came shortly after into Belgium,
and purposed holding a diet at Nymwegen, she appeared
there with her daughter, and demanded justice. The duke
of Saxony was there also, for the purpose of answering the
complaint.
It happened as the king was looking through a window
of the court, that he observed a white swan swimming
towards him on the Rhine, drawing after it, by a silver
chain, a little boat, in which lay a sleeping knight ; his
shield was his pillow, and near him lay his helm and
hauberk. The swan navigated like a skilful seaman, and
brought the boat to land. At this spectacle Charles and
his court were greatly surprised ; every one forgot the
complaint of the two princesses, and ran down to the river.
In the mean while the knight had woke and quitted the
bark. The king received him courteously, took him by
the hand, and led him towards the castle. On leaving
the boat the young hero said to the bird : " Proceed pros-
perously on thy way back, dear swan ! AVhen I again
1 A singular anachronism. See p. 303, note.
308 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
require thee I will call thee." The swan instantly began
its course, and with the boat was soon out of sight. Every
one regarded the strange guest with eager curiosity;
Charles returned to his tribunal,, and assigned a seat to
the young knight among the other princes.
The duchess of Brabant, in the presence of her beau-
tiful daughter, now gave a full statement of her complaint,
after which the duke of Saxony made his defence, finally
offering to do battle for his rights, and calling on the
duchess to name a champion to oppose him in defence of
her cause. At this she was overcome with fear, for the
duke was a renowned warrior, against whom no one would
venture to contend. In vain did she cast her eyes round
the hall, no one appeared ready to offer himself. At length
the knight, who had been brought thither by the swan,
arose and offered to be her champion ; whereupon both
sides armed for the conflict, when after a long and obs-
tinate strife, victory declared herself on the side of the
knight of the swan. The duke of Saxony lost his life, and
the inheritance of the duchess was again free.
Then the duchess and her daughter made obeisance to
the hero who had so gallantly fought in their behalf, and
who accepted the offered hand of the daughter, though
under the condition, that she should never ask whence he
came, nor from what race he sprang; for if she did, he
must forsake her.
The duke and the young duchess had two children, who
were both amiable and well-nurtured; but their mother
was ever more and more weighed down by the reflection
that she knew not who was their father ; till at length
she ventured on the forbidden inquiry. The knight was
fearfully affected and said : " Now hast thou destroyed
our happiness and seen me for the last time." The
duchess repented, but it was too late ; all the people fell
at his feet and implored him to remain. But the warrior
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 6{j\)
armed himself, and tlie swan came swimming with the
same Uttle boat. He then kissed both his children, bade
his wife farewell, and gave his benediction to all the
people ; after which he entered the boat, went his way
and never retm-ned. The duchess was sorely afflicted at
her loss, but, nevertheless, educated her children with
great care. From these children many noble races derive
their descent, — the houses of Gelderland and Cleves, also
the counts of Rheineck, all of whom bear the swan in
their coat- armour.
GODFREY OF BOUILLON AND THE SWAN.
While the valiant duke Godfrey of Bouillon lay with his
army of crusaders before the holy city of Jerusalem, he
one day looked towards heaven and perceived a flying swan.
Four times it flew round his head, and having so flown,
it rose a little, then flew towards Jerusalem, to a tower,
where it descended : and that was the tower through which
Godfrey, in storming the city, forced an entrance.
THE KNIGHT WITH THE SWAN.
In the kingdom of Lillcfort, which lay in Flanders,
there lived in days of yore a king whose name was Pirion,
and who had a wicked woman for his wife, named Mata-
bruna. By this woman he had a son, named Oriant, who,
on the death of his father, was crowned king of Lillcfort.
It happened that King Oriant with his nobles rode out
to the chase, and saw a hart, which they pursued for a
considerable time. At length it sprang into a brook and
thus escaped from the hunters. Oriant on seeing this
turned his horse and came to a fountain where he dis-
mounted, and sat down under a tree to rest. While thus
sitting there came a beautiful and noble maiden with four
female attendants, a knight and two man-servants. Ad-
310 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
dressing Oriant, who was sitting with his dogs by his
side, she said : " Sir, why do you hunt in my domain,
and who has given you permission so to do ? I saw how
the hart you were in chase of escaped from you and leapt
into the water ; but had you taken it, it would not have
been yours. I desire that you will withdraw from lience.^^
When King Oriant heard the fair Beatrix speaking so
wisely, he formed the design of making her his wife, and
said in a soft voice : " Beautiful damsel, I would not
willingly act in opposition to your will, but here I may
lawfully hunt, for I am Oriant, king of Lillefort, and all
things hereabout are at my disposal .^^ When the knight,
who was named Samari, heard this, he sprang from his
horse, fell on his knees, greeted the king and said : " Sir
king, forgive my lady for that wherein she has erred to-
wards you ; for she knew you not, and is now fully sen-
sible of her fault.^'' ^^ It is already forgiven,^^ answered
the king, "but she must, nevertheless, atone for it.^^
Then addressing himself to the lady, he said : " Fair
maiden, if you will be my bride, I will crown you as queen
of Lillefort. ^^ And having made this promise and con-
firmed it by oaths, he conducted the beautiful Beatrix to
his palace, where the marriage should be solemnized with
great pomp and rejoicings.
When Matabruna heard that Oriant was about to marry
the damsel that he had met while hunting, she went to
him boiling with anger. But Oriant laughed when he
saw her, and said : " Rejoice, for I have found the most
beautiful female that lives on the earth.^' ^Matabruna
filled with rage answered : " My dear son, it causes me
unutterable grief, that you, who could have to wife the
greatest lady in the world, should marry a simple indivi-
dual.*^ But Oriant persisted, and the wicked mother also
appeared content, though in her heart there rankled the
bitterest malice against Beatrix.
NETHERLANDISH TKAHlTlOiNS. Oil
When Oriant had for a time enjoyed the love of the
fair Beatrix^ she became pregnant. At this time an enemy-
having invaded the territory of Lillefort^ the king with his
chivah-y prepared to take the field ; but previous to his de-
parture^ he commended his wife to the tender care of his
mother, which she promised to bestow^ and then vfith
many tears bade them farewell.
But scarcely had the king departed when Matabruna
began to carry her wicked designs into effect. She sum-
moned the midwife to her presence, and caused her to
swear never to divulge that which she was about to impart
to her. When the midwife had so sworn, Matabruna said :
^' You are well aware what a detriment my son^s marriage
has been to the country ; for which reason I would fain
estrange him from his wife, which it will be easy to effect,
as she is pregnant.^^ To this the woman answered : " If
it seem good to you, I will destroy the child.^^ " That is
not enough,^' replied Matabruna ; " Beatrix is very large,
and will, therefore, most probably bear twins : these you
shall put aside, and in their stead show her two young
dogs. I will then give the children to one who will carry
them away, so that they shall no more be heard of.^^ To
this plan the midwife agreed and promised to carry it out.
When the time for Beatrixes delivery drew near, these
wicked women held two puppies in readiness. Instead,
however, of two children, as they had expected, Beatrix
bore seven, six sons and a daughter, all of whom had silver
chains round their necks, as a proof of their mother^s
nobility. Bnt this in nowise deranged Matabruna^s plan :
she took seven puppies, and caused them to be laid in the
place of the children, when the midwife exclaimed : '^ 0
queen, what is this ? you have brought forth seven young
dogs ! " Then in haste came Matabruna, feigning to be
greatly hon-ified, and said : " Make away with the animals
and bury them, that the king may preserve his honour
61.^ NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
and the affair be no more spoken of." Beatrix in the
mean while lay weak and senseless, and when she recovered,
Matabruna came, and with cruel words reproached her for
having given birth to seven dogs ; and when Beatrix de-
sired to see them, they were brought to her. At the sight
of them she was horror-struck, and conscious that the king
would now withdraw his love from her and put her to
death. The midwife with her hypocritical words pretended
to console her, saying that the king should know nothing
of the matter ; but Beatrix was not to be comforted, and
saw in death alone the end of her sufferings.
Matabruna in the mean time called to her a servant
named Marcus, and said : " Friend, thou must do me a
service, but must keep it a secret. The queen has given
birth to six sons and a daughter, all of whom bear silver
chains round their necks, a sign that they will all one day
be great thieves and murderers. Therefore must they be
destroyed, lest they bring disgrace on the king. This office
thou shalt execute ; for the queen believes she has brought
forth seven puppies. ^^ Marcus promised to perform her
will, took the seven babes in his cloak and rode with them
into the forest. But when he saw^ how beautiful they
w^ere, he was struck with compassion, and resolved to let
them live ; therefore having kissed them and shed many
tears over them, he rode back to Lillefort, where he told
Matabruna that he had destroyed them, who was over-
joyed at the intelligence, and now resolved to accomplish
the death of Beatrix.
While the children lay piteously moaning in the forest,
they were heard by an old man who dwelt hard by, and
who on coming to them and seeing them so forsaken,
burst into tears, and having wrapt them in his cloak,
carried them to his hut. There he purposed warming,
and, as far as it was in his power, feeding them ; but that
was rendered needless, God having sent a white goat to
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 313
the hut, which offered her teats to the babes and allowed
them to suck; and this continued until they grew large
and ran with the goat into the thicket. Then the old
man, who was named Helias, made them clothing of leaves,
to cover their nakedness.
King Oriant had in the mean time overcome all his
enemies, and was on his way home ; for he longed greatly
to know how it had gone wdth his beloved wife. But
when Matabruna heard that he was coming, she hastened
to meet him, and no sooner were they together than she
began to weep, and said : "Ah my dear son, I rejoice that
you are here again, although my heart is oppressed on
account of your wife.^^ On hearing this the king was
overwhelmed with surprise and apprehension, and asked
what had taken place, whether Beatrix were dead or alive ?
To which Matabruna replied : " No, she is not dead, but
what has occurred relating to her is so shocking that I
cannot express it.^^ The king then urged her, and in-
sisted on knowing what had happened, when Matabruna
informed him that Beatrix had been delivered of seven
puppies, and called the midwife as a witness. This news
aflflicted Oriant beyond measure, and he went ^^ith one
confidential knight into a chamber and wept bitterly, until
overcome with the weight of his sorrow, he fell asleep ;
while the noble lady Beatrix was in another apartment no
less afflicted than her consort.
On the following day King Oriant assembled his coun-
cil, ecclesiastic and secular, and said : " I have caused you
to meet here that we may deliberate on what is to be done
with my queen." He then laid the whole case before
them. A wise man thereupon rose, and turning towards
the king said : " Sir king, at your desire I will answer
you in the name of all these lords, and say what seems
good to us. You shall not put the queen to death, but
keep her in honourable custody, and leave the rest to God,
314 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
who will make the truth manifest/^ This counsel greatly
comforted the king, for he ardently loved Beatrix, and he
therefore adoj^ted it, although a wicked knight arose and
proposed that she should be burnt. So Beatrix was con-
ducted to an apartment by two knights and honourably
served.
The old man in the mean time took the most affectionate
care of the children ; in one of the boys he took especial
delight, and named him after himself Helias. It once
happened that one of Matabruna's huntsmen, named
Savari, came into the forest and found the children with
silver chains round their necks, just as they w^ere eating
apples with their bread. The huntsman found great plea-
sure in them and followed them into the hut, that he
might learn who they were. On seeing the huntsman,
the old man was alarmed lest some harm might befall the
children ; but the huntsman having dispelled his fears, he
related to him how he had found and reared them.
At this recital the huntsman w^as astonished, and on his
return related the whole to Matabruna, who instantly felt
convinced that these were Oriant's children, and therefore
ordered him to destroy them, threatening him that, in the
event of his non-compliance, she would have him put to
death. Surprised and terror-struck the man promised to
execute her command, at which Matabruna was tranquil-
lized, and going to those who had conveyed the children
to the forest, she caused their eyes to be put out.
The huntsman Savari, taking seven men with him, went
out for the purpose of destroying the children. On their
way they came to a village where a great number of persons
were assembled, in consequence, as they were informed, of
a woman having just been burnt for the murder of her
child. This touched the heart of Savari, who said to his
associates : " Behold a mirror for us : this woman has
been burnt for having killed one infant, and we are to
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 315
destroy seven /^ On which the others said : " No^ we will
not destroy them^ but only take their chains from them
and carry them to Matabriina^ as a token of their death."
They then entered the forest and came to the hut, where
they found only six of the children, the old man havinp;
taken the seventh with him to the village, to fetch bread.
Seeing the strangers, the children cried piteously from
terror and surprise ; but Savari said : " Be still, dear
children, we will not harm you," and took the chains from
their necks, when at the instant all the six were trans-
formed into white swans, which flew up in the air, and
mournfully wailed and screamed. At this Savari and his
companions were so terrified that they fell in a swoon,
and on recovering trembled with fright and said : " Let
us quickly leave this place, we have already been here too
long : we will take the six chains to Matabruna, and say
we have lost the seventh."
But when they brought only six chains to Matabruna,
she was bitterly enraged, and would not be pacified until
they offered to pay her the value of the seventh, which
they accordingly did. This wicked woman then sent the
chains to a goldsmith that he might make a cup of them.
When the goldsmith had placed one of the chains in the
fire, to prove whether it were good silver, it became so
heavy that it outweighed all the other chains together.
He therefore gave the others to the custody of his wife,
and made of the one two silver beakers, one of which he
took to Matabruna, and kept the other for himself.
In the mean while the old man with Helias had re-
turned home, and sought for the six children without
finding them. On the following morning Helias came to
the pond in which the swans were swimming, and was not
a little surprised when they came to him. He gave them
bread which they ate, and allowed him to caress them.
p2
816 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
And this he repeated from day to day, and never entered
the thicket without first going to the pond.
But God heard the prayer of the unhappy mother,
Beatrix, and let it be announced to the old man, that the
six boys and the girl were the offspring of king Oriant,
and also that six of them had been transformed. AMiere-
upon calling Hehas to him, the old man told him all, and
Helias then took leave of him, recommending the swans
to his tender care. He then went to the king, clad in
leaves, barefooted and bareheaded, with a club in his
hand, for the purpose of asserting his mother's rights and
innocence.
The foes of the hapless Beatrix had in the mean while
prevailed on the king to pronounce judgement on her and
cause her to suffer death. She was, consequently, one
day brought from her prison and conducted before Oriant,
that she might in his presence defend herself; for a false
i^night, suborned by IMatabruna, had preferred new charges
against her. On entering the hall, Beatrix made humble
obeisance to the king, fell on her knees, and prayed so
fervently for grace, that every one, and the king above all,
felt profound pity for her. Oriant then asked the false
knight of what he accused her, and the knight answered,
that she had wished to give him poison, for the purpose
of destroying both the king and Matabruna. Thereupon
the king rose and said : '^ Wife, you are heavily accused ;
what say you ? Tell the truth, and if you are guilty, you
shall die a shameful death, if no one will defend your
cause." But Beatrix again falling on her knees said:
'^ My dear lord, I know that I shall find no one who will
do so ; nevertheless, I swear to you and all these lords,
that I have never harboured such a thought, so true as
God is almighty, to whom I leave all vengeance on my
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 317
When sentence of death was about to be pronounced,
tbe young Helias with his club just reached the royal
courts when a man stepping towards him, inquired his
business. " I seek the false knight, Marcus/' said Helias.
" I am he," answered the man in jest, whereupon Hehas,
raising his club, struck him dead to the earth. At this
another attendant came up and attempted to seize him,
but HeUas defended himself and said : '' Away from me,
for I will not rest until I have slain that false knight,
Marcus, who has unjustly accused my mother.^' When
one of the attendants heard this, he whispered to Hehas
that Marcus was then in the hall, that he had accused
Beatrix of much, but that no one gave credit to the
charges, as the queen was greatly beloved. When Helias
heard the man speak thus, he embraced him, and the man
conducted him to the hall, where many a heavy heart
sighed for Beatrix. And Hehas entered the hall, and ap-
peared before the king, who immediately asked him whom
he sought. '' I seek Marcus," said he. The false knight,
Marcus, being pointed out to him, he sprang to him,
crying aloud: ''Thou false traitor! I challenge thee to
battle, and thou shalt engage with me," at the same time
striking him such a blow with his fist that Marcus fell to
the earth, and would have been slain outright, had not the
other knights stept forth and parted them. On seeing this,
the king said to Hehas : '' What makes thee so daring in
my presence ? " The youth answered : " Sir, 1 am come
hither to tell you truly all that has taken place." ^' Do
BO," said the king, and Helias proceeded: "My dear
mother, cease now to weep and mourn, for I will restore
you to happiness." When the king heard these words, he
was greatly astonished ; but Helias, turning towards him,
said : '' Sir, be it known to you that it is your mother
]\Iatabruna alone who has caused so much evil to my
mother." And thereupon he related to the king every-
318 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
thing, from beginning to end_, and offered to remain as a
prisoner at the court, until the truth of his account should
have been confirmed by witnesses. At this the king was
still more astonished, and demanded of Beatrix what she
knew of the matter, who answered : ^' Sir, I know nothing ;
for when I was in travail, I was overcome with pain, and
knew not what took place. Whether your mother has
done good or evil will be made to appear. Into the hands
of God and this stripling I give the defence of my honour,
and pray you to supply him with whatever he may require
for the conflict. ^^
The queen was then led to a fair apartment, and the
king proceeded to his mother, Matabruna, to whom he
related all that had passed. She changed colour on hear-
ing it, but hoped by smooth words to conceal her treachery.
The king, however, gave no heed to them, but went and
ordered Marcus to be committed to prison. He then
caused beautiful armour to be prepared for Helias, and
afterwards went, as if going to the chase, to visit the old
man in the forest, that from him he might hear a confir-
mation of what the youth had related. The old man^s
narrative tallied in every particular with what he had
heard from TIclias, and the king was bitterly grieved on
account of the injustice Beatrix had suffered at his hands.
On his return he instantly set the queen at libcrt}', and
ordered Matabruna to be cast into prison and to be guarded
by four attendants. He then ordered Marcus before him,
that he might do battle with Helias. ^^larcus, on enter-
ing the lists, felt weighed down with apprehension, though
he would not let it appear, but with a loud voice called to
Helias : " Come, thou foolish stripling ; it shall soon be
seen what thou canst do against mc.^^ Helias answered :
" O, thou false traitor, I rejoice in having to contend with
thee, to avenge my mother, and defend her honour ! "
They then rushed to the encounter, and Helias struck the
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 319
false knight together with his horse to the earth, whereat
Marcus enraged and astounded, exclaimed : " Stripling !
though such be thy prowess, thou shalt, nevertheless, soon
feel the strength of my arm/^ To which Helias replied :
" Come boldly on, I fear thee not/^ Hehas having now
somewhat lowered his lance, Marcus took advantage of the
circumstance, and treacherously wounded him in a place
that was unprotected, so that the blood flowed. The
people were struck with apprehension at this mishap, but
God did not forsake Helias. On seeing his blood flow, he
became yet more embittered, and cried to Marcus : " O,
thou false traitor, was it not enough for thee to attempt
the destruction of my mother, but thou must deal treache-
rously by me ? But with God^s aid I will requite thee ! "
Then rushing a second time against each other, Helias
struck his adversary's helmet from his head, and grasping
his sword, so assailed him that he could not move a limb,
and smote ofl" his right arm. When the traitor found
himself overcome, he yielded himself to the mercy of
Helias, and said : ^' Youth, thou hast conquered me, I
yield, tell me w^ho thou art.'' Helias answered : " I am
a son of King Oriant and his faithful queen, Beatrix, and
must see thee dead before I quit these lists.'^ '^ Grant me
my life and make me thy captive,'^ said Marcus, " that I
may confess all ; and send for the goldsmith who had the
chains." While he was thus speaking, the judges of the
field approached, and adjudged the victory to Helias, who
desired them instantly to summon King Oriant, his queen
and all the lords ; and when this was done, Marcus re-
lated all that had taken place, and when he had finished
his confession, the king, clasping his beloved wife in his
arms, with tearful eyes implored her forgiveness. They
afterwards all proceeded to the palace, and rendered thanks
to God for the victory of Helias ; but the false knight was
hung by the legs on a gibbet.
320 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
After these events had taken place, and great feastings
and tournaments had been held, the king summoned
Matabruna^s goldsmith before him, that he might ascer-
tain the truth respecting the silver chains. The goldsmith
brought with him the five chains and the beaker, and re-
lated to the king the story of the sixth. When he had
finished, the king said : " You speak like an honest man,
and therefore all is forgiven/-' The king and the queen
then took the chains, kissed them, and wept for their
children, who had been turned into swans. Then came
the other Marcus, whose eyes jMatabruna had caused to be
put out, and Oriant asked him how he came by his blind-
ness, when Marcus gave him a full account of his having,
by the order of Matabruna, conveyed the children away
and left them in the forest. When this was told to ^lata-
bruna, she gave the men that had been placed over her as
a guard so much to drink that they fell asleep, and then
fled to a strong castle, where she believed herself secure
against all. The attendants were severely punished.
Helias having been informed that the king had five of
the chains, went to him and prayed to have them, and
swore that he would enjoy no rest until he had found his
brothers and sister. Scarcely had he uttered these words,
than it was announced that six beautiful white swans had
come out of the forest and settled in the castle moat. At
this intelligence Helias with the king and queen hurried
forth. When the swans saw Helias they flapped their
wings for joy, and he stroked their plumage. He then
showed them the chains, at the sight of which they pressed
round him, and he hung a chain round the necks of five
of them, when they were instantly turned to a human form,
and ran to their dear parents to kiss and embrace them.
When the last swan saw there was no chain for him, he
was much afflicted, and strove to pluck every feather from
his wings; but Helias mourned with him, and sought to
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 321
comfort him, and the swan, as in gratitude, bowed down
his head. There was now great rejoicing at the court, and
King Oriant summoned all his knights and nobles together,
and bestowed his kingdom on his son Helias, and left him
at liberty to take what vengeance he thought proper on
Matabruna. Helias then stormed and took the castle to
w^hich she had fled, took her prisoner, and ordered her to
be burnt alive.
When Helias had long ruled over the realm of Lillefort
in peace and tranquillity, he saw one morning, when
looking through the window, the swan, his brother, drawmg
after him a little boat. Helias in this recognised a sign
from God, and ordering his armour and silver shield to be
brought, took leave of his parents and friends, and entered
the boat. Hereat the swan was overjoyed, and beat with
its wings, and departed with the boat, which in a short
time was far far away from Lillefort.
At this time the emperor, Otto the First ^, was holding
an imperial diet in the city of Nymwegen, at which the
count of Ardennes preferred a complaint against the
duchess of Billoen^, whose inheritance he would unjustly
seize, and uttered gross calumnies against her, that she
had poisoned her husband, and during his absence of three
years beyond sea, had given birth to an illegitimate
daughter, whereby the territory of Billoen now fell to him,
the count of Ardennes. The emperor said : '^ Woman,
these are heavy charges, and if you cannot prove your
innocence, you must die." The count of Ardennes pro-
ceeded, and said : " Sir emperor, in proof of the truth, I
cast down my glove, and will engage in combat with any
one, be he who he may.'^ On hearing this, the emperor
commanded the duchess to seek a champion to fight for
1 He reigned from 936 to 973. ^ Bouillon.
p5
322 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
her. The good woman looked on all sides, but found
none.
Then on a sudden the clear notes of a horn were heard
from the Rhine, and the emperor with all who were there
assembled hastened to the windows, from whence they saw
the swan with the boat, in which Helias stood completely
armed, as was befitting a gentle knight. The emperor
was greatly astonished at seeing the swan depart with the
boat, after Ilelias had landed, and caused the knight to
appear before him ; while the duchess, who had observed
the whole, felt her heart comforted, and said to her
daughter : ^' I this night dreamed that I was contending
against the count, and that I was condemned to be burnt ;
but that there came a swan which brought water to quench
the fire, and that from the water there sprang a fish, at
the sight of which every one trembled. Therefore do I
believe that this knight will deliver me.^^
When Helias appeared before the emperor, he greeted
him courteously, and the emperor did the like to him, and
inquired of him who he was and whence he came. Helias
answered : ^' I am a poor knight, and go out seeking ad-
ventures, and Vv'ill faithfully serve you, if you require me."*'
The emperor replied : " If you are a knight in search of
adventures, you have found one here, aud can fight for the
honour of the duchess of Billoen, who is accused of a
heinous crime." Helias then turning, cast a glance on
the duchess, who appeared to him an honourable lady;
but when he looked on her daughter, his heart was smitten
with love. He then requested permission of the emperor
to speak alone with the duchess, which was readily granted.
He asked her whether she were innocent or guilty ? and
the duchess answered in a firm tone, " I am innocent."
Helias answered : " Lady, you have then found a cham-
pion ; I will defend your honour."
Thereupon Helias, again approaching the emperor, said :
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 323
" Sir emperor, let liim now enter tlie lists who accuses this
lady, for the purpose of compassing her death ; for I am
ready to engage with him." When he had so spoken, the
count came forwards and said : " Friend, what is it you
desire? You appear very bold in a cause which in no
wise concerns you." To which Helias answered : " There
lies my glove, which I cast down for the honour of God,
of these noble ladies, and of myself, and you shall this day
see what a knight of adventure can perform." The count
then took up the glove, and the emperor inquired when
they would fight, which Helias was desirous of doing on
that day. The lists were therefore quickly made ready,
and Helias appeared in armour with his silver shield, and
the count in arms no less excellent. The emperor with
his nobles, the duchess with her daughter, and an innu-
merable body of people, were spectators.
The knights encountered each other with such impetu-
osity that their lances were shivered, and then had recourse
to their good swords, when Helias plied his weapon so
vigorously that the count with difficulty could defend him-
self, and addressed his adversary thus : ^' 0, noble knight
of the swan, make peace with me, so that I may attain my
object, and I will bestow on you my daughter with ihQ
fertile land of Ardennes." This address exasperated Helias,
who answered : " Do you imagine that I will imitate you
in your treachery? Rather would I allow myself to be
hewed limb by limb ; therefore say no more ; for I swear
to you that I will grant you no grace, and in your despite
will marry the duchess's daughter." At this tlie count
was filled with rage, and struck Helias with such force on
the arm that the sword fell from his hand ; but instantly
springing from his horse, he seized the count, tore the
shield from his neck, and wrenched his sword from him.
The count prayed for grace, but Helias heeded not his
prayer, and with his sword struck ofi" his head.
324 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
Having thus overcome his adversary, Hehas presented
himself before the emperor, who received him nobly. The
duchess also came with her daughter, and thanked him,
and said : " Sir, you have restored to me my lands ; I give
them back to you together with my daughter.^^ At this
Helias was highly gratified, and on the following day the
marriage was solemnized with great pomp and splendour.
When the feastings had lasted for a fortnight, the new
duke took leave of the emperor, after having sworn fealty to
him, and departed with his consort for Billoen, where he
soon arrived and was received with great joy, after having
gallantly defended himself on the road against the friends
and kindred of the count. Shortly after his wife became
pregnant, and when the time came, she gave birth to a
daughter, who was named Ida, who grew up in virtue, and
was mother of the noble prince Godfrey, and his brothers,
Baldmn and Eustace.
One day when the duchess was riding out with her
husband, she asked him of what country he was, and what
friends and kindred he had. But he would not answer
her, and desired her never to repeat the question, for that
if she did he must part from her. She said no more on
the subject, and both lived in great harmony for six years.
But gradually the duchess lost all remembrance of the
prohibition, and one day, -svhen alone with Helias, she said
to him : " My beloved husband, I would fain know of what
descent you are.^^ Helias was much troubled hereat and
sorrowfully answered : " I have told you that you should
never know, and therefore should never inquire. I must
now leave you, and shall go to-morrow to Nymwcgen and
take leave of the emperor.^^ The duchess wept bitterly
and called her daughter, that she might add her entreaties
to her own, and thus divert him from his purpose. But
Helias told them that it might not be ; and having assem-
bled his nobles, he commended to them the mother and
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 325
daughter, together with the territory of Billoen. He was
yet speaking when the swan appeared, making a great
noise with its wings, as if calling Helias, who now took a
sad leave of all, and followed by the tears of the inhabit-
ants, entered the boat, and was instantly drawn away by
the swan.
But the duchess and her daughter hastened to Nym-
wegen, at which place they arrived before the knight of
the swan. There they related to the emperor all that had
taken place, and prayed for his intercession and aid.
While they were thus speaking, the sound of Helias's horn
was heard from the Rhine, and shortly after he himself
appeared before the emperor. But earnestly as the em-
peror besought him not to forsake the duchess and her
beautiful daughter, it was all in vain. Helias now prayed
the emperor to aid and protect the two ladies, and having
received that prince's assurance that his prayer was
granted, again entered his boat. The swan beat with its
wings on seeing him, and soon both found themselves in
Lillefort.
King Oriant was sitting at table with his queen and
their five children when the boat arrived. At the lively
notes of Helias's horn, they all rushed to the windows of
the palace, and on seeing the two brothers, they hastened
down to embrace and kiss them. Their mother's first
question was : " My son, where hast thou been so long ? ''
To which Helias answered : " My mother, that I will tell
you at another time.'' She then asked what was become
of the swan, and Helias informed her that it had remained
in the water ; upon which the mother said : " I this night
dreamed that the swan would recover its human form, if
the two beakers were shown to it." This seemed good to
all, and when the swan saw the two beakers which the
goldsmith had made of its chain, it was instantly restored
to its human figure, and received the name of Esmeri;
326 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
and there was consequently great rejoicing in tlie whole
court.
Some time after Helias assembled all his friends and
relations^ and recounted to them his adventures, and w^hen
he had finished, said : " I now bid all of you farewell ; for
I am about to leave the world, that I may expiate my sins
and pray for all of you/^ At this the w4iole court wept,
though no one ventured to utter a word against his resolve.
Helias then went, with a staff in his hand, to a monastery
which his father had founded, and was received by the
monks with much gladness. He afterwards caused a
beautiful and spacious castle to be built in the Ardennes,
exactly resembling that of Billoen, and to which he gave
the same name. On the monastery he bestowed great
franchises, and placed in it thirty monks, to pray day and
night, and lived himself according to the rules of the
monastery.
The duchess of Billoen and her daughter lived in the
mean while in constant grief and affliction for the loss of
Helias ; for all the messengers that she had sent out, to
get tidings of him, had returned without success. She at
length despatched a servant, named Pucius, to Jerusalem,
in search of Helias, who, finding no trace of him there,
resolved on wandering to Rome. On this journey, how-
ever, he and his companions lost their way, and came to
the Ardennes, and to the very castle that Helias had caused
to be erected. At the sight of it Pucius said : '' Behold,
here we are in my country, for this castle appears to me
exactly like that of Billoen." They then went to an inn
in the village that was adjacent to the castle, and inquired
where they were, and received answers to all their ques-
tions, and were, moreover, informed that King Oriant and
Beatrix had left Lillefort and taken their abode at Billoen,
that they might be near their beloved son Helias. AVhcn
Pucius heard this he was overjoyed and thanked God.
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 327
On the following morning lie went to the castle of
Billoen^ and the king and queen with their children came
to meet him, when Esmeri, recognising his clothes, asked
him whence he came. Pucius answered, that he was in
search of the knight of the swan, by whose wife he had
been sent out. At this intelligence Esmeri was rejoiced,
and announced it to the king and queen, to whom Pucius
must then relate all concerning the duchess : he, more-
over, told them that her grand-daughter, Ida, was married
to the count of Bonen ^ Pucius was now conducted into
the castle and nobly entertained. On the following morn-
ing he accompanied Esmeri to Helias, whom they found
on his knees at prayer. On recognising Pucius, the
knight of the swan fell on his neck and kissed him, and
inquired after the duchess and his daughter. Pucius in-
formed him of everything, and received from him his
wedding ring to take to the duchess as a token, and also
many costly presents for Ida.
Pucius immediately set out on his way home, after
having taken leave of King Oriant and Beatrix, from whom
he likewise received precious gifts for his mistress, and
shortly after arrived in Billoen, just as the duchess with
her daughter and son-in-law were sitting at table. Having
presented the ring to the duchess, together with the other
presents, he recounted all his adventures. At his narra-
tive the duchess was highly gratified, and with her
daughter immediately made preparations for their journey ;
but the count of Bonen remained at home with his three
sons, Godfrey, Baldwin and Eustace.
When the two ladies arrived at the castle of Billoen, they
learned that Helias was lying in his bed sick, and were
sadly grieved thereat. But Helias called them to him,
and they all wept for joy at seeing each other again so
^ Boulogne.
328 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
unexpectedly. A few days afterwards Helias became
worse, and his malady at length so increased that he died.
This event caused such affliction to the duchess that she
fell sick and soon followed her consort to the grave. Ida
then, reluctant to remain where she had suffered such
heavy losses, returned to her husband, and the people
moui-ncd bitterly for a long time.
POPULAR BELIEF K
1. If a bride tears her bridal dress, it is not good : she
will undergo much trouble.
2. A person should never give away the rings of dead
friends or relatives : it is a sure sign that the giver will
also soon die.
3. If a loaf lies topsy-turvy, it is not good.
4. If a knife lies the wrong way (verkeerd), it forebodes
quarreling.
5. If fire springs out on the hearth, you may be sure
of soon receiving a visit.
6. To see lady-birds forebodes good luck.
7. Those who do not like cats will not get handsome
wives.
8. Monday^s haste is seldom good.
9. If the skeleton of a horse^s foot be placed in the
stable, the horses cannot be bewitched.
10. To recover from an ague, let a person tie his
garter round the gallows.
11. Between Easter and Whitsuntide the unfortunate
make love.
12. The eggs of jMaundy Thursday (Witten Donder-
dag) are good against thunder and lightning ^.
' From Wolf's Wodana, Gent. 1843, pp. 110-114, and pp. 221-225.
2 In Denmark on this day (llvid-torsdag) the peasants put nine kinds
of herbs in their soup. The Germans have a similar superstition.
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 329
13. St. John's wort gathered before sunrise is good
against lightning.
14. To be lucky at play, a person should carry about
him a clover leaf of four lobes.
15. It is not good to comb the hair or cut the nails on
a Friday.
16. A spider seen in the morning forebodes good luck;
in the afternoon bad luck.
17. For an ague it is good to enclose a spider between
the two halves of a nutshell, and wear it about the neck ^
18. To cure the toothache, rub the teeth with a bone
from the churchyard : it is an infallible remedy.
19. If the bed of a dying person stands in a cross di-
rection with the rafters, he will have a long and painful
death.
20. Two forks across forebode strife or enmity.
21. To overthrow a saltcellar is not good : strife will
follow.
22. When an egg is eaten the shell should be broken.
23. To be secure against ague, eat on Easter-day two
eggs that were weighed on Good Friday.
24. To eat no flesh on Easter-day is good for the tooth-
ache.
25. If a person feels a tickling in the palm of the hand,
he will receive money.
26. The howling of a dog forebodes the death of a
person in the neighbourhood.
27. If on Christmas eve you take a piece of fir and
stick it in the fire, but let it not be quite burnt out, and
put what remains under the bed, thunder will never fall
on the house.
28. Three candles burning in one room forebode a mar-
riage ^.
1 See Ashmole's Diary.
2 In such case the Danes say, " 0 there is a bride in the room."
330 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
29. Rain on Friday rain on Sunday.
30. It is not good to be married on a Friday.
31. To get out of bed with the right foot first forebodes
good luck for the whole day.
32. Eggs laid on Whit-Sunday should be carefully pre-
served. If there be a fire^ let one of them be cast into
the flames^ and the lire will have no more power.
33. If a bride desires to have good luck and prosperity
in her wedded state, she must_, on coming out of the
church from her wedding, enter her house under two
sabres laid crosswise over the door.
34. Eggs laid during the twelve days of Christmas
should be carefully preserved ; and if a hen is about to sit,
place them under her, when all the other eggs under her
will produce beautiful, large chickens.
35. On Christmas night, at twelve o'clock, all the
cattle rise up and continue standing for some time, and
then again lie down.
36. Nothing that is sown on Christmas eve perishes,
although it should be sown on the snow.
37. If the sun shines on Candlemas day (Feb. 2), the
flax will prosper.
38. That which is sown on Shrove Tuesday will always
continue green.
39. As many fogs as there are in ^larch, so many bad
fogs will come also after Easter, and in August.
40. On St. Andrew's day place a glass full of water on
a table : if it runs over spontaneously, a wet year may be
looked for; but if it continues full, that indicates a dry
year.
41. To wash the hands well in the morning is a power-
ful means against witches and sorceresses.
42. If the sun shines while it rains, the witches are
baking cakes.
43. Mistletoe hung over the bed is good against the
nightmare.
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 331
44. If a woman desires to have a compliant husband,
let her take old iron nails, of which let a ring be made on
a Friday during mass, and afterwards lay the gospels upon
it, and say a Pater noster daily. Then if she wears that
ring on her finger, she will have a husband ready to grant
her wishes for a year.
45. If a woman wishes her husband to love her, let her
take a portion of her hair and offer it on the altar thrice
with a lighted wax taper. As long as she carries that on
her head, he will cherish a fervent love for her.
46. When a cold trembling creeps over the limbs, it is
usual for a person to say : '' They are riding over my
grave. ^^
47. When it rains while the sun shines there is a fair
in hell.
48. Two knives laid across forebode misfortune.
49. W^hen a child falls into the fire, you must, before
taking it out, turn the loaf, if it lies topsy-turvy. In Den-
dermonde and thereabouts they make a cross on the loaf
with a knife.
50. Unlucky at play, lucky in marriage.
51. He has a mole^s foot in his bag, is said of one that
wins at play.
52. WTien the cats sit with their backs turned to the
fire, it will rain.
53. If a person has long had the ague, to get rid of it
he should tie a wisp of straw to a tree at the moment when
the fit is coming on, and then run till the fit is past.
54. To turn a chair round forebodes fighting.
55. Mariners promise to eat no flesh on Easter-day, that
they may be safe from storms at sea.
56. A tickling in the palm of the htind betokens the
getting of blows.
57. In Furncs nobody will hire a maid-servant on a
Friday, nor will a maid enter her service on that day.
332 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
58. The person towards whom at dinner the point of a
knife, that lies with the edge up, is directed, will be mar-
ried within that year.
59. If two persons in a company, at the same moment,
begin telling the same piece of news, they will be married
at the same time.
60. Boiling dish-water betokens that the person who has
to wash the dishes will not be married within seven years.
61. For thirteen to sit at table it is ill-boding. The
person that then sits under the beam is a traitor. Of the
thirteen one will die in that year.
62. To see lambs when out walking is good ; pigs and
crows bad. To see a crow flying over the paternal roof
signifies bad news — misfortune.
63. Dandelion. Children blow off the feathery seeds
and ask : " How old shall I be ?" As often as they blow
before the last are blown off, so many years will they live.
The girls ask on the same occasion : " Does he love me ?
Yes — a little — much — no.^^ The word that is uttered
when the last seeds fly off is the sentiment which they
imagine to be in the breast of their lover. The same
operation is performed with the dandelion, in order to
know what o^ clock it is.
64. Many persons, when their leg, their arm, their
hand or their foot is asleep, make a cross on it with the
thumb, to make the tingling cease. Others, when they
gape, make a cross before the mouth.
65. When a drowned person is touched by a near kins-
man, he begins to bleed at the nose.
66. When the ducks dive, bad weather may be ex-
pected. The rain will soon cease when the chickens take
shelter.
67. A sorceress cannot rise from sitting if a woman
clandestinely places her wedding ring under her chair ^
^ Sec a similar superstition at p. 239.
NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS. 333
68. When after cutting the hair you throw the cuttings
into a fire of green woodj the hair will never grow after-
wards.
69. Hair that is cut off should never be thrown into the
street : it may be taken up by a witch, who by its means
can bewitch the person to whom it belonged.
70. When a person sneezes and no one says " God bless
you/^ a witch has powder to bewitch the sneezer.
71. If a woman loses her wedding ring, she will soon
be separated from her husband by death or otherwise.
72. Neither a knife nor scissors may be given to a
friend : they cut love.
73. Let no one take a bone home with him from the
churchyard : the dead will torment him till he returns it^
74. If a knife be thrown off the table and fall on the
back, it betokens an approaching wedding.
75. When the priest during mass turns and says orate
fratres, he closes his eyes, that he may not see the witches,
w4io then stand all with their backs towards the altar.
IQi. If a little spark shines on the wick of a candle, it
betokens unexpected news. When many such sparks
shine round the flame, forming a circle, then will a person
triumph over his enemies.
11 . In conjuring the devil it is necessary to have a light ;
words spoken in the dark having no power.
78. If a damsel cannot endure a dog, she will never get
a good husband.
79. If a person is troubled with ague, he should stand
naked opposite to the rising sun, and at the same time
repeat a certain number of Pater nosters and angelical
salutations.
80. St. Lupuses Cake. They bake a triangular cake in
honour of the Holy Trinity, making in it five holes, in
remembrance of the five wounds of Christ. This they
J See p. 280.
334 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
give as alms, in honour of St. Lupus, to the first beggar
that presents himself by chance, not intentionally ; in the
belief that their flocks and herds are thereby rendered
secure from wolves (lupi). This custom is common about
Tirlemont and Louvain.
81. It is a custom to immerse the images of saints in
water, in order to obtain rain.
83. If a person has an ague, let him go, early in the
morning (in der uchte), to an old willow, make three knots
in a branch, and say : " Good morning, old one j I give
thee the cold ; good morning, old oneM^'
I Westeudorp, N, Myth, p. 518; See also p, 164.
INDEX.
ixDAM, creation of, 1.
Afflighem, story of the monk of, 297.
Ague,153, 164,328,329,331,333,334.
Alrun, 49, 156, 157.
Altar-cup at Viol, story of the, 70.
Alvina, 268.
Amputation of a limb, charm for the,
162.
Andrew's (St.) Eve and Day, super-
stitions on, 142-145, 330!
Animals, superstitions connecte Jwith,
180.
Apoplexy, charms for the, 169.
April (First of), custom on the, 136.
B.
Baldwin (Count) marries a devil, 283.
Baptism, 160.
Barmgrund. See Scald-head.
Basilisk, account of the, 29.
Beacon-burning in North Friesland, 5.
Bees, death to be announced to them,
161.
Belief (Popular) Netherlandish, 328.
Bell at Coenhausen, 118.
Bell-pond, story of tlie, 118.
Bier-esel, 157.
Birds, superstitions connected with,
180.
Birth and Baptism, customs and su-
perstitions relative to, 160, sq.
Black School, account of the, 12.
Blood, charms to stanch, 163, 168.
Bone from the churchyard, 333.
Breast-hone of a goose, 183.
Bride, superstition concerning a, 328,
330.
Brooms bound in the Twelfths, their
virtues, 151.
Burn, charms for a, 167.
BUsemaun, 48.
C.
Calves, riding on, 235.
Candlemas, superstitions relating to,
134, 330.
Card-players, anecdote of, 4.
Cat, the devil's, 18; Cats of Stock-
hem, 236 ; superstitions relating to,
328,331.
Changelings, stories of, 43-45 ; must
be swept out, 157.
Chess with the devil, 291.
Chimken, 49.
Christmas, customs and superstitions
of, 145-149, 329, 330.
Clairmarais, convent of, 291.
Clover, sui)erstition of a four-lobed,
184, 329.
Coach (The bloody) at Antwerp, 290.
Communion Cup at Viul, 70.
Corn-stealing, 277.'
Cowls hung on sunbeams, 269.
Cows speak on New Year's eve, 7.
336
INDEX.
Creation of Adam, 1.
Crows, superstition concerning, 142.
Cuckoo, its origin, 131 ; questions
put to it, ib.
D.
Dancers, anecdotes of, 3, sg.
Days (Unlucky), 185.
Dead, divine service of the, 8.
Death and Burial, customs and super-
stitions relative to, 161, sg., 328.
Deer-stealer in the Harz, 126.
Demons of the Mine, story of the, 97.
Devil, dances a lady to death, 3, 4 ;
plays at cards, 4 ; spins, 7 ; teaches
in 'the Black School, 12; as the
builder Zi, 38 ; builds a house with
ninety-nine windows, 39 ; at Car-
ron-St.-Martin, 232 ; seduces Ma-
riken of Nymwegen, 248 ; of Ne-
derbraekel, 256 ; a black hen sacri-
ficed to him, ib. ; outwitted, 258-
263 ; destroys the Sand-gate at
Mechlin, 295 ; chess with him,
. 291 ; plays at dice for a soul, 296 ;
how to conjure him, 333.
Diseases. See Wounds.
Divining Rod, 141.
Dizziness, charm for, 168.
Dog, 70, 180, 329, 333.
Dragedukke described, 34.
Drak, 155.
Drake (Kobold, Fire-drake), super-
stitions relating to the, 155, sg.
Dwarfs (Dwarge), 31. See Under-
ground Folk.
Dwarf. smithies, 205.
E.
Easter, customs and superstitions at,
134-136.
Eckwadt Church, story of its building,
38.
Eggs, shells of, to be broken, 174,329 ;
elves swim in the shells, 265 ; of
Maundy Thursday, 328 ; good
ai,'ainst' ague, 329 ; against fire,
330 ; if laid at Christmas, 330.
Ehrengang (Walk of honour), 1.
Ekke Nekkepenn, story of, 40.
Elder, superstitions connected with
the, 182.
Elements and Natural Phenomena,
superstitions connected with the,
183.
Elves swim in egg-shells, 265.
Erysipelas, charms for the, 170, 171.
Excrescence, charm for an, 172.
Eyes, charm for bad, 163, 173.
F.
Fabricius (Pastor), story of, 13.
Falkenberg, tale of, 294.
Fast-reading, 14.
Fast-writing, 14.
Fever, the seventv-seventh, 164.
Fiddler, story of a, 228, 230, 231.
Field, etc., superstitions connected
with the, 175, sgg.
Finger, charm for pain in the, 172.
Finn (Father), 39.
Fir-cone (Silver), story of a, 115.
Fire, charms against a, 166, 179.
Fire-drake, 155.
Flabbaert, a sprite, 266.
Flames in the Water, 30.
Flerus, 200.
Fogs, 330.
Foot, charm for a sprained, 1 72.
Foreseeing, story of, 69.
Fountain, Frau HuUe's, 99.
Frederic Barbarossa, enchanted in the
KyfFhauser, 101, 102, 105.
Freischiitz, 127, 159, 259.
Frick (Old), account of, 80.
Friday, 330, 331.
G.
Gauden (Fru), account of, 74.
Gaue (Fru) makes her tour in the
Twelfths, 153.
Gertrud's (St.) Minne, 270.
Goblin, 83; how to obtain a, 141.
Gode (Fru), account of, 73 ; makes
her tour in the Twelfths, 153.
Godfrey of Bouillon, anecdote of, 309.
Congers, account of the, 10.
Gout, charms for the, 168, 169.
Gramra, spectre at, 9.
Gravedigger, story of a, 280.
Giibich, account of the, 109.
II.
Ilackelnbcrg (Hans von), stories of,
91-95.
INDEX.
337
Hair-cutting: and combing, 329, 333.
Hair-snatching, 145.
Hameln, story of the children of, 119.
Hans Diimkt, story of, 58.
Harke (Fran), account of, 87.
Harrows, superstition of sitting under
two, 22, 82.
Harvest Customs, 141, 142.
Head-ache, charm for the, 173.
Heart (the Feather-), 2/1.
Heckethaler, account of the, 76.
Hel-horse, account of the, 30.
Helldink. See Erysipelas,
Hen (a black) sacrificed to the devil,
256.
Hildesheim, the rose at, 122.
Hilge, charms for the, 165.
Holda (Hulde). See Hulle.
Horn (The Oldenburg), 128.
Horses speak on New Year's eve, 7 ;
the Long Horse, 27; one comes
out of the water, 80 ; a woman
transformed to a, 235 ; of a horse's
foot, 328.
Horse-Mare, account of the, 75.
Horseshoe, 185.
House, superstitions connected with
a, 174, sqq.
House with ninety-nine windows, 39.
Hiibichenstein, traditions of the, 109-
118.
Huggel, Smith in the, 123.
Hulle (Frau), account of, 98 ; in the
K>ifhauser, 100.
Hiinensteine in the Ukermark, 79.
Hunt (The ^Yild), 218.
Huntsman (The Wild), 158, 218, 220.
Husband, how to have a good, 331.
I. J.
Use (Princess), stories of, 88-90.
Ilsenstein, 88, sqq.
Image (Carved), story of a, 41.
Invisible, how to become, 264.
Jack o' Lanterns, stories of, 85, 158,
220.
Jew (the Wandering), story of, 59,
265.
Jews, why thev eat no swine's flesh,
266.
John (St.) Baptist appears to St.
Gertrud, 270.
John's (St.) blood, the juice of a
plant so called, 24.
John's (St.) day, customs and super-
stitions, 139-141.
John's (St.) hand, a plant, 140.
Jug (the blind), 49.
Julian (St.), legend of, 297.
Jiiterbogk, the smith of, 103.
K.
Kaboutermannekens, 187-192.
Kettle (Magic), superstitious process
with a, 17.
Kielkropp, story of a, 46.
Klabautermann, account of the, 49.
Klabautersmanneken, account of the,
75.
Kludde, 193-195.
Knife, Scissors, etc., 328, 329, 331,
332, 333.
Kobolds, stories of, 83, 84 ; how to
obtain one, 141 ; described, 155, *g'.
Kortstaert, a devil, 291.
Krombeen, a devil, 291.
Kyffhiiuser, traditions of the, 100-
102.
L.
Lady-bird, 182, 328.
Lady (our) on horseback, 2.
Land-divider, judgement on a false,
14, 242, 268.
Lily of life, 271.
Limb, amputation of a, charm for,
162.
Lime-tree in Nortorf, 2.
Lodder, 205-208.
Lohengrin, story of, 302.
Love-magic, 272-274,
Lucy (St.), 184.
Liiningsberg, the White Ghosts of
the, 120.
Lupus (St.), his cake, 333.
Lying-in Woman, 264,
M.
Maere. See Nightmare.
Magpies, witches ride on, 138 ; pow-
der of, its virtue, 153.
Malegy's Palfrey, story of, 220-228,
INDEX.
Man in the Moon. See Moon.
Mannigfual, account of the, 28.
Mariken of Nyuiwegen, 247-256.
Marriage, customs and superstitions
relative to, 159, sq., 330, 333.
Mjirt. See Nightmare.
Martin (St.), goose on his day, 142.
May-day, customs and superstitions
on, 136-138.
Mechlin, destruction of the Sand-gate
of, 290.
Michael (St.), custom on his day, 142.
Midsummer. See St. John's Day.
Milk ahstracted hy witchcraft, 77,
276; beaten, 277.
Mill-stone suspended by a silken
thread, 35.
Mines, monk of the, 96 ; Demons of
the, 97.
Moleskin, purse of, 186; a mole's
foot, 331.
Monk of Afflighem, 297.
Monoloke, account of the, 19.
Moon (Man in the), story of the, 57.
Murderer cited, 17.
Murraue, account of the, 154, sq.
N.
Nappelfangs, 145.
Necker, or Nix, 198, 199.
Nederbrackel, devil of, 256.
Nesskuk, 48.
New Year, customs and superstitions
on, 149-151.
New Year's eve, cows and horses
speak on, 7 ; water turned to wine
on, 8.
Nickelmann (Nick), account of the,
87,88.
Jsightmare, account of the, 29 ; su-
perstitions relating to the, 154, sq.,
202-205; mistletoe good against
the, 330.
Night-raven, account of the, 97.
Niske, 48.
Nisser. See Puks.
Niss-Puk, 48. See Puks.
Nix, account of the, 158, 199.
Nixen, story of three, 199.
Nortorf, Lime-tree in, 2.
O.
Ointment (Witches'), how made, 276.
Oldenburg Horn, 128.
Onnerbiinkissen, 32.
Oriant (King), story of, 309-328.
Osschaert, 195-198.
Otto, count of Oldenburg, obtains a
horn, 1 28.
P.
Palfrey (Malegv's), 220-228.
Peter (Saint), i03, 105, 183.
Pingel is dead, 37.
Piper at Hameln, 119.
Plants — elf-leaf or sorceresses' plant,
266 ; nightwort, ib. ; roodselken,
268; St.John's wort, 329; a clover-
leaf of four lobes, ib. ; mistletoe ,
330 ; dandelion, 332.
Pleiades, origin of the, 131.
Poacher, story of a, 289.
Potterv made by the Underground
Folk, 33.
Puks (Nisser), stories of, 55, 56, 75.
Puherklaes, 49.
R.
Rain, charm against, 180 ; on a Fri-
day, 330 ; how to get, 334.
Ranzau Familv, traditions of the, 50-
54.
Ravens, 180.
Rickets, charm for the, 169.
Ringworm, charms for the, 166, 170,
174.
Roppert (Ruprecht), 49.
Rose at Hildesheim, 122.
Rose, charms for the, 165, 171.
Ruprecht (Knecht), account of, 146,
147.
Rupture, cure for a, 173.
S.
Scald-head, charms for, 1 70.
Schack, countess Anna Sophia, story
of, 9.
Service (Divine) of the dead, 8.
Shadow, story of the man without a,
62.
Ship (Giant), account of the, 28.
Shirt, effect of turning one's, 70.
Shrovetide, customs and superstitions
at, 99, 133, sq., 330.
INDEX.
33^
Sieve, superstitious practices with a,
15.
Smith in the Hiiggel, 123.
Smith of Jiiterbogk, story of the, 103.
Smith (the Underground), 33.
Smoking a chihi, 64.
Snail, verses to the, 181.
Snake-king, account of the, 56 ; of a
snake in the old Duborg, 57.
Sneezing, 333.
Spectres, stories of, 9, 10, 120, 243 ?
their mass, 267, 280, sq.
Spider, if seen in the morning, 329 ;
good against ague, ib.
Spinning, none on Saturday evening,
6,174; nor in the twelve days of
Christmas, 7, 99, 151; nor on
Thursday evening, 174.
Springs (salubrious) near Louvain,
270.
Stars, North Frisic belief concerning
them, 57 ; names of constellations,
184.
Staven-Wiifke, account of the, 11.
Storks, their departure, 142 ; first
seen, 180.
Stot, charm for the, 167.
Subterraneans. See Underground
Folk.
Sun, when it shines during rain, 331.
Swan stories, 302-328.
Sword (Magic), how fabricated, 275.
T.
Tetter. See Ringworm.
Thief, how to detect a, 175, 176;
how to yix a, 176-178 ; to release
a, 177.
Thief's foot, hand, finger, superstition
connected with a, 274, sq.
Thunder, 57, 183, 329.
Thunderstones, superstitions concern-
ing them, 57.
Tooth-ache, charms for the, 165,166,
329.
Travelling Mother, 264.
Trees, announcing a death to the, 161.
Twelfthtide, customs and supersti-
tions of, 151-153 ; supernatural
beings of, 153, 154.
U.
Underground Folk, account of the, 30,
31 ; help to eat wedding dinners'
31 ; a procession of, 32 ; their
dwellings, if/. ; their pottery, 33 ;
lend their kettles, ib. ; one invited
to a christening, 34, 35 ; their
hatred of drums, 35 ; invite a couple
to be gossips, il/. ; steal beer, 37 ;
attempt to steal a woman, 41 ; one
of their children caught, 42 ; they
emigrate, 47 ; lick up milk, 49 ; at
a marriage feast, 107 ; steal peas,
108 ; one begs an ear of bai'ley, i6. ;
one gives a girl a distaff of flax, 109 ;
in the Hiibichenstein, 109-117;
superstitions concerning the, 157.
Unnererske, 31. See Underground
Folk.
W.
Wagoner (the eternal), account of
the, 97.
Walpurgis Night, superstitions of,137.
Wanue Thekla, 265.
Wapper of Antwerp (the Long), 209-
217.
Warts, charm for, 172, 174.
Water turned to wine on New Year's
eve, 8.
Waud, 153.
Waxen image, sorcery practised with
a, 24.
Weather, how to foretell the, 147.
Wedding-Feast at Carrou-Saint-Mar-
tin, 232-234.
Wepelrot explained, 149.
Werwolf, 27 ; cannot enter a field of
rye, ib. ; a woman-werwolf, 76 ;
of the w^erwolf's girdle, 107, 201.
Whirlwind, cause of the, 264.
White maidens, 1
269.
White women, J
White Women in Femern, 71.
Whitlow, charm for a, 172.
Whitsuntide, customs and supersti-
tions at, 138, 139.
Wind-knots, account of, 23.
Windowing explained, 148.
Witches and Witchcraft. — Witches
in Friesland, 19; their meetings,
21 ; how to know them, 22 ; their
present to a musician, 23 ; can
change the wind, ib. ; make waxen
images, 24 ; stuff" in dissension, ib. ;
take butter, 25, 68 ; hand of one
q2
340
INDEX.
severed, 26 ; one as a bare, ih. ;
stories of, 64, sqq. ; one boiled in
oil, 67 ; bewitcb calves, 69 ; abs-
tract n)ilk, 77 ; discovery of, 78 ;
tbeir ride, 81; burnt, 95, 238;
how to see them, 137, 138, 149;
various superstitions concerning
them, 137, 138, 208, 220, 228-232,
235-241 ; as cats, 236; ointment,
276 ; take milk and com, 277 ; one
caught, 278 ; how to expel witch-
craft, 279 ; preservative against,
330 ; w^hen the sun shines, ib. ;
various superstitions, 332.
Witches' Butter, 138.
Witte Juffers, \ opq
Witte Wijven, J '^'^^•
W6d, ■)
Wfis, \ (F]
Wasen, J
ru), 153.
Wode, stories of the, 59-62.
Wolterkens, 48.
Wounds, Diseases, &c., charms for,
162-173.
Wrist, charm for a sprained, 173.
Wunder-blume, account of the, 106.
Wiinschelruthe, 141.
Z.
Zahnrose, charm for the, 164.
Zevenbergen, its destruction, 282.
Zi the builder, account of, 38.
Ziegler (Pastor), story of, 14.
THE END.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY RICHARD TAYLOR,
RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET.
FLAMMAM.
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